George Bailey named captain for the Hobart Hurricanes in BBL|07

Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Hobart Hurricanes has re-signed the star Tasmanian duo of George Bailey and Tim Paine for BBL 2017 in leadership roles. Bailey has been bestowed with the captaincy duties that he relinquished in the lead-up to the fifth season of the Twenty20 competition. Tim Paine who was the skipper in the previous edition will step down from the top job and instead act as Bailey’s deputy. The Tasmanian Twenty20 franchise will be aiming to improve upon their seventh-placed finish last season under the tutelage of Bailey.

He will now get the chance to lead his home city from the front in the upcoming seventh edition of the BBL. Bailey scored 249 runs at 49.40 last summer, while Paine scored 227 and effected nine dismissals while winning his way back into the T20I side. The Canes are set to face Sydney Thunder at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium on December 30.

The star duo is currently in the subcontinent, touring with the World XI in Pakistan. Both the batsmen had impressed in the purple outfit during the 2016-17 summer as they led the club’s run-scoring charts. Similarly, Paine’s form with the willow and behind the stumps was enough to warrant a recall to the national team for the shortest format.

Speaking to the media about his renewed role with Hurricanes, Bailey said, “I’m really excited about this opportunity, it’s been a couple of years since I’ve had the captaincy.”

The right-hander further added, “There’s been a few changes – new coach, new CEO, so there’ll be a different feel around the group. It’s the one tournament Tasmania hasn’t won yet so I’m looking forward to rectifying that.”

The Hurricanes are expected to reveal more signings in the coming weeks.

Current Squad:

George Bailey (c), James Bazley, Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Hamish Kingston, Ben McDermott, Tim Paine, Jake Reed, Clive Rose, Beau Webster.