Tim Paine scandal: Former Australian captain’s comeback to cricket stalled
Aussie selector George Bailey did his best to avoid the cameras after meeting with Tim Paine on Saturday as the ex-Test captain’s comeback bid was stalled by weather.
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Fallen Australian Test captain Tim Paine must wait until Monday for his comeback to cricket after his club match was abandoned in Hobart on Saturday.
Paine, who dropped a bombshell on Friday by resigning in the wake of a four-year-old sexting scandal, laid low in the change rooms at Queenborough Oval, a suburban ground in Sandy Bay, for his club University’s match against South Hobart-Sandy Bay in the Cricket Tasmania Premier League.
It will be his first game in eight months, and follows career-saving neck surgery in September to fix a problem with a bulging disc, caused by stooping over in his wicketkeeping position.
Rain overnight made Queenborough’s centre wicket area heavy underfoot and umpires inspected the wicket five times before finally calling it quits mid-afternoon.
The waiting media then got its first glimpse of Paine.
He walked out with his Uni teammates in tight formation in a show of solidarity.
Asked what support he had received since his shock resignation, Paine said: “I’m not talking today.”
Paine, who will turn 37 in a few weeks, resigned as Test captain but hopes to play against England in the upcoming Ashes series starting next month.
Earlier in the day, chairman of selectors George Bailey visited Paine in the change rooms as he waited for play to start.
Bailey slipped out a rear exit to the change rooms and out of the ground through a locked gate hoping not to be spotted.
Asked if he could make a comment on his meeting with Paine and what was discussed, Bailey shook his head and said: “No”.
Paine’s car was parked in a rear carpark. Shortly before the Uni players walked out, Tasmanian Sheffield Shield paceman Peter Siddle jumped in the luxury sedan and drove it away.
Paine walked through the media pack, climbed in an SUV and it is believed was driven to Blundstone Arena for batting practice at the indoor nets.
Paine will play for Tasmania in a Second XI game against South Australia in Hobart starting on Monday.
University high-performance manager Ben Harrison had no doubt Paine should retain his place in the Australian side.
“Tim’s the best wicketkeeper in the country,” Harrison said.
“The Australian Test team should pick the best players to play the roles, and I don’t think there is anyone who would keep better.”
Harrison said Paine was a respected member of the University Cricket Club.
“His impact on the development of players, whether they be batters, wicketkeepers or bowlers has been enormous,” he said.
“Tim doesn’t always take the glove for us. He’s in the field a lot of the time as well. The work that he does with them out on the field just adds another layer to the coaching program and adds such a great support to all of the coaches throughout the club.”
Originally published as Tim Paine scandal: Former Australian captain’s comeback to cricket stalled
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