Bailey's absence shouldn't be too much for experienced Hurricanes to overcome in BBL The Hurricanes have plenty of back up for George Bailey. HOBART will open its campaign against Adelaide on December 22 with a strong squad capable of improving on last season's sixth placing. It is a list headed by George Bailey, whose contributions to the Ashes effort mean he is unlikely to feature beyond a token game or two. That aside, names like Travis Birt, Doug Bollinger, Xavier Doherty and Ben Hilfenhaus point to experience and calm under pressure for the Hurricanes. They also welcome Dimi Mascarenhas from Melbourne Stars, who owns the record for most runs hit in a T20i by an Englishman and the first player to claim a hat-trick in T20s. Hurricanes import Owais Shah. The X-Factor: Owais Shah is back for his third season with the Hurricanes and once again looms at the Hurricanes key strike weapon. The Englishman will need to rediscover his form from the first edition of the Big Bash after a quieter season last year but with a power-hitting game the rival of anyone in the competition, he looks set to test the limits of Blundstone Arena once again. Aiden Blizzard moves from the Strikers. The Smokey: Aiden Blizzard makes the move to Hobart after a couple of mixed seasons with the Strikers. One of the cleanest hitters in the competition when he gets it right, Blizzard could be just the man to fire the Hurricanes' title charge. Last season: 6th The Squad: George Bailey, Travis Birt, Aiden Blizzard, Doug Bollinger, Cameron Boyce, Xavier Doherty, Ben Dunk, Evan Gulbis, Ben Hilfenhaus, Ben Laughlin, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Joe Mennie, Tim Paine, Sam Rainbird, Owais Shah, Shoaib Malik, Timm van der Gugten, Jonathan Wells. Odds: $6.00 Stuart Clark's verdict: Good all-round team. The Hurricanes have the squad to make the finals this season. Genuine contenders.