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BBL Fantasy guide: Hobart Hurricanes

A look at the key players, must haves and bargain buys from the Cane Train ahead of BBL|05

George Bailey ($68,400), Cameron Boyce ($71,900), Dan Christian ($78,200), Ben Dunk ($59,600), Michael Hill ($79,200), Joe Mennie ($33,100), Dominic Michael ($20,000), Simon Milenko ($30,000), Tim Paine ($55,300), Sam Rainbird ($20,000), Jake Reed ($74,600), Clive Rose ($42,100), Darren Sammy ($69,500), Kumar Sangakkara ($88,900), Shaun Tait ($66,800), Timm van der Gugten ($36,900), Beau Webster ($20,000), Jonathan Wells ($45,100).

The Hurricanes have reached the semi-finals twice in Big Bash history, with the Hobart-based franchise finishing runners-up to the Scorchers back in BBL|03.

Things look good for them this year with the key signing of Sri Lankan star Kumar Sangakkara and his presence alone could be enough to thrust the Hurricanes into the knockout stages of the tournament for the third time.

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Sangakkara will anchor the Hurricanes' batting, but he should receive plenty of support from the likes of Ben Dunk, George Bailey, Tim Paine and Jonathan Wells.

The wildcard for the Cane Train could be West Indies allrounder Darren Sammy, who made four appearances in the purple of the Hurricanes during BBL|04 and was quickly anointed a fan favourite.

WATCH: Sammy onlsaught lifts Hurricanes in BBL|04

Sammy will be expected to perform with bat and ball, while speedster Shaun Tait will headline a bowling line-up that might lack a little bit of depth.

Watch out for the Hurricanes to use two spinners at times during the tournament, with Cameron Boyce – who took 10 scalps in BBL|04 – a chance to be partnered with Clive Rose should the opportunity arise.

MUST HAVE

Kumar Sangakkara ($88,900) – The former Sri Lanka skipper should fit in extremely well in Hobart and can be relied upon to score well near the top of the order. Sangakkara averaged just over 31 during his Twenty20 career, while he always seems to score at better than a run a ball. Get him in your team and you won't be disappointed.

WATCH: Sangakkara smashes a 30-ball 70 in the US All-Stars series

BARGAIN BUY

Jonathan Wells ($45,100) – He featured as a sub fielder for Australia during their recent Test series against New Zealand, but Wells is actually a pretty reliable batsman in the Twenty20 arena. Last season Wells was Hobart's second top run scorer behind Dunk – he hit 161 runs from eight matches – and is sure to get plenty of chances to impress.

CONSIDER CAREFULLY

Shaun Tait ($66,800) - The former Test quick still bowls with good pace, but his days of taking big bags of wickets may be numbered as he closes in on his 33rd birthday. Tait managed a decent haul of eight wickets while playing for the Strikers in BBL|04, but there are no guarantees he will be able to improve on that mark this time around.

WATCH: Tait a tearaway in BBL|04

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