BBL: Hurricanes sign Peter Handscomb from Melbourne Stars

An Australian batsman who has one-day and Test hundreds to his name, the 29-year-old was unveiled as a Cane on Wednesday after being squeezed out from the Melbourne Stars.

Handscomb said he bore no hard feelings towards his club of eight BBL campaigns and was looking forward to a new start in Tasmania.

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"That's part of cricket, they've got an amazing group of players and it gets to the point where it starts to become hard to fit everyone in under the salary cap," Handscomb said.

"So I've got no hard feelings against the Stars, I absolutely love everyone there but that's just the way it goes and sometimes you're at the wrong end of it.

"There was a moment there for a while that I was a bit scared that no-one was going to give me an offer, but late in the decision I managed to talk to a few other clubs as well.

"I guess the defining factor in coming down to Hobart was being able to bat in the top four and with such a good group, good people on a good wicket so that sort of helped the decision along in the end.

"My mum and mother-in law ... purple is their favourite colour, so hopefully that's a good sign."

Captain of Victoria's Sheffield Shield side, Handscomb still harbours a desire to return to the five-day arena having last played a Test against India in January last year.

The right-hander boasts a respectable average of 38.91 from 16 Tests and hopes a mountain of Big Bash runs this summer will help keep his name at the front of selectors' minds.

"My ultimate goal is still to play Test cricket for Australia and get back into that Test side," he said.

"But Big Bash and T20 cricket is a big part of cricket now, so I need to make sure my T20 game is ready to go come summer time and make sure I can do everything I can to win games for Hobart this year."

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Handscomb is likely to bat at number four, the same spot Bailey occupied last season.

Bailey, who retired last from all forms of cricket earlier this year, played BBL01 with the Stars between before representing the Hurricanes for the remainder of his career.

He has since taken up a role as national selector and is touring with the Australian team in England.