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Bailey, Paine back on the 'Cane train

Hurricanes re-sign star duo for BBL|07 in leadership roles

The Hobart Hurricanes have been bolstered by the re-signing of experienced Tasmanian duo George Bailey and Tim Paine for the upcoming KFC BBL season.

The club has also revealed a change of leadership for the summer, with Bailey to return to the captaincy role that he relinquished in the lead-up to the fifth season of the Twenty20 competition.

Paine will step down from the top job and instead act as Bailey's deputy as the Hurricanes aim to improve upon their seventh-placed finish last season.

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"I'm really excited about this opportunity, it's been a couple of years since I've had the captaincy," Bailey said.

"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."

Bailey and Paine – currently touring with the World XI in Pakistan - both impressed in purple during the 2016-17 summer as they led the club in run-scoring, while Paine's form with the bat and behind the stumps was enough to warrant a recall to the national T20 team.

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"I'm really excited by the opportunity to work with George as vice-captain this season. I think our leadership styles will work well together," Paine said.

"We've obviously both been with the Hurricanes for some time now and it's great to have a couple of Tasmanians leading the side.

"Hopefully with the squad we're putting together we can be a really competitive side in BBL|07 and get back to playing in the finals."

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.