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'Knifed in the back': James Faulkner's shocking claims about coach

James Faulkner says he was betrayed by Hobart Hurricanes coach Adam Griffith over his contract for the 2021 BBL season. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
James Faulkner says he was betrayed by Hobart Hurricanes coach Adam Griffith over his contract for the 2021 BBL season. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Former Hobart Hurricanes player James Faulkner has accused coach Adam Griffith of sticking a 'knife into my back' after he was allegedly lowballed by the club to return in 2021.

Tasmanian-born Faulkner signed for the Hurricanes in 2018, the year after he last represented Australia.

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He quickly became one of the Big Bash League's most high profile players, but those days appear to be over after a sensational relationship breakdown with the coach.

In a particularly candid interview on SEN, Faulkner said he had been offered a contract worth substantially less than he believed he should be paid, and that delays in negotiations had left him having to make plans to compete in overseas T20 competitions.

Central to Faulkner's complaints against Griffith and the Hurricanes was the treatment of a hamstring injury he suffered last season.

Interviewed by current Test captain Tim Paine on his new show, Faulkner said the whole ordeal had left him with a bitter taste.

"It is very disappointing," Faulkner told SEN.

"They brought an initial offer to my manager ... it was pretty embarrassing.

"Pretty hard to take.

"Pretty disrespectful for what I've given to Tasmanian cricket. I've put my heart and soul into it ... it cut pretty deep.

"They actually called me in before I went to the Pakistan Super League to apologise, and it still never got sorted out.

"They just left me in the background really after promising me they'd sort it."

James Faulkner furious with Hobart Hurricanes over handling of BBL injury

The 31-year-old, interviewed by close friend Tim Paine on the Test skipper's new radio program, was particularly scathing of Griffith.

"I thought (he) was one of my mates as well as the head coach," Faulkner said.

"(He said) the bowling group and the team have performed really well without me ... we need to move on and that he didn't really care.

"That's like sticking a knife straight into my back.

"That's not called for."

Griffith insisted last week the club was "very keen to keep James".

"Jimmy's had a lot of injuries and hasn't spent a lot of time on the park but when he has, he's been really good," he told cricket.com.au.

James Faulkner's relationship with the Hobart Hurricanes appears to be at an acrimonious end. (Photo by Jason McCawley - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
James Faulkner's relationship with the Hobart Hurricanes appears to be at an acrimonious end. (Photo by Jason McCawley - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images) (Cricket Australia via Getty Imag)

Faulkner fumed about Griffith "using" injuries against him.

"People don't really know the whole story but that cut me deep," he said.

"Last season I had an eight-week hamstring.

"I tried to come back in three and a half weeks and put my body on the line, so we had a shot at making finals.

"Which I was happy to do.

"But for the coach to use that against me I felt was wrong. Because it ended up costing myself when it came to other tournaments ... I had to start rehab again.

"It's all OK for them to say they want me but when they offered what they did ... it was pretty clear they didn't."

Former Hurricanes skipper Paine was "amazed" the BBL club let Faulkner go.

"I haven't seen him as upset as he is," Paine said.

With AAP

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