Bird has returned to his former home town of Sydney to sign a contract, believed to be at least three years, with the Sixes, who have lost Brett Lee to retirement.

In Bird's four years with the Stars, during which only Lasith Malinga was a more important new-ball bowler, he played 24 matches and claimed 28 wickets at an average of 22.36 and at 7.15 runs an over. His departure was lamented by the Stars.

"It was sad to see Jackson leave the club after four terrific years. Jackson was a foundation player ... and has been a great contributor on and off the field," chief executive Clint Cooper said.

Bird's replacement, Hilfenhaus, had been a key bowler for Hobart but his tenure at the Hurricanes was in question since he was dropped early in the recent season.

New Stars coach Stephen Fleming lauded the ability of Hilfenhaus, who he coached at Chennai in the IPL in 2012 and 2014, to "strike with the new ball, as well as his versatility later in the innings".

The 31-year-old has been lured from the Hurricanes by the offer of a three-year deal. He will join fellow Tasmanian Tom Triffitt, who impressed sufficiently on his short-term deal last season to earn a contract for next season.

The Stars have also extended the contract of leading run-scorer Luke Wright, who over four years has scored 856 runs at an average of 28.53 and a strike-rate of 138.29. Wright endured a leaned 2014-15 season but was struggling with a knee injury, so much so that the batting all-rounder was unable to bowl and was restricted in the field.