Tait leaves Strikers for Hurricanes

Former Test paceman Shaun Tait has left Adelaide Strikers after accepting a "tremendous offer" to join Hobart Hurricanes for the next two KFC T20 Big Bash League seasons.

The signing of Tait comes just days after Ben Hilfenhaus left the Hurricanes to take up a three-year deal with Melbourne Stars.

Quick Single: Bird, Hilfenhaus find new BBL homes 

The 32-year-old joins Johan Botha in exiting the Strikers this week after the South African signed a three-year deal with Sydney Sixers.

Tait, a member of Australia's 2007 Cricket World Cup side, took 28 wickets in 18 games for the Strikers at an average of 17.96.

"The Hobart Hurricanes have shown great confidence in me and I look forward to repaying them by performing well in Hobart over the next two years," Tait said.

"There’s some quality, experienced players amongst the Hurricanes group who I have played with and against during my career so I am looking forward to teaming up again with those guys."

The Hurricanes will be Tait's third BBL franchise; he played for Melbourne Renegades in the inaugural Big Bash season before moving to the Strikers for BBL|02.

SACA General Manager High Performance Tim Nielsen said the Hurricanes offered Tait a deal that was difficult to turn down.

"Shaun has been an excellent player for the Strikers during the past three seasons of the BBL," Nielsen said.

"Hobart put a tremendous offer to Shaun and he has accepted it; we are obviously disappointed to lose Shaun who is a home-grown Adelaide boy, but we understand that this is the nature of the BBL.

"We wish Shaun all the best for the future and thank him for his contribution to the Adelaide Strikers."

Strikers coach Darren Berry this week said he was "devastated" by the departure of Botha, who was replaced as captain of the West End Redbacks by Travis Head while Berry was away on personal leave.

Quick Single: Berry upset by Botha's exit

Berry was confident the Strikers will add some big-name players to the 11 currently contracted, while Tait is just one of five players currently contracted by the Hurricanes for next season along with Ben Dunk, Tim Paine, Cameron Boyce and Jake Reed.

Hurricanes coach Damien Wright expects Tait to bring Hobart locals flooding through the gates at Bellerive next season.

"He has always been someone you fear when you play against him so out batsmen are also happy to be playing alongside him," Wright said.

"There's no doubt our members and fans will love watching ‘the big fella’ unleash at Blundstone Arena next summer."