MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 27: James Faulkner of the Stars hits a six during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Stars and and the Hobart Hurricanes at Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 27, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The Hobart Hurricanes have signed Tasmanian-born James Faulkner to a three-year Big Bash League deal commencing this 2018-19 season.

The 28-year-old will be geared out in the purple kit for the first time after seven seasons in the Big Bash League as a member of the Melbourne Stars.

Faulkner has represented Australia 24 times in the short format and has taken 36 wickets on that level.

“I had always hoped to return to playing all my cricket in Tasmania when the time was right ... I really love the feeling around the team now and I’m impressed by the culture they’ve managed to build,” Faulkner told hobarthurricanes.com.au.

“Being from Launceston, the chance of playing two Big Bash games up there is also very appealing to me.

“My family are born and bred Launceston, so I am really looking forward to playing in front of family and friends in my home town.

“I think the State is going from strength to strength, and that was a big part of my decision to come home, play alongside my mates and enjoy all my home domestic cricket formats here.

Faulkner's time with the Stars included 47 games where we took 45 wickets and averaged 26.58 runs will come to an end, but he didn't forget to thank the Stars organisation and his teammates for making his time playing with them an enjoyable one.

“I have many friends at the Stars both on and off the field and it was a difficult decision to part ways. But I look at it more along the lines that I am joining the Hurricanes, than I am leaving the Stars.”

“I want to thank the Melbourne Stars for everything they’ve done for me over the last seven years. They were very supportive of me when I was playing with Australia and I’ve loved every minute with them."