Tim Paine just ‘ready to play cricket’ ahead of Ashes
Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has returned to cricket for the first time in eight months – and made an immediate impression. MATCH DETAILS + VIDEO >>
Tasmania
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THE controversy swirling around Tim Paine hasn’t affected his glove work, with the former Test skipper bagging six catches on his return to cricket.
In front of a large media contingent, Paine took to the pitch for Tasmania’s second XI in day one of its four-day match against South Australia at Lindisfarne Oval.
It was Paine’s first competitive match in months after recovering from invasive neck surgery in September and comes just days after Paine relinquished his role as Australia’s Test captain after the revelation he had been involved in a sexting exchange with a female employee of Cricket Tasmania in 2017.
While Monday marked Paine’s return to the field since the news of the scandal broke, it also marked the first steps in his race to prove himself worthy of selection in the Australian side for the first Ashes Test, scheduled to being in three weeks in Brisbane on December 8.
In a bid to allow him to focus on his return, Paine was not selected as skipper for the second XI, with Mitch Owen given the captaincy.
In front of the keen eyes of friend and Australia’s chairman of selectors George Bailey, Paine looked comfortable in his return and appeared to be unhindered behind the stumps as he moved well and took six catches as Tasmania dismissed South Australia for 165 runs.
Tasmania was 1-58 at stumps with Paine watching on from the sheds after being chosen to bat at number five.
Before the day’s play, Cricket Tasmania general manager of high performance Simon Insley said it was always the plan to have the former skipper come through the Tassie second XI in his preparation for the Ashes.
“He’s probably been frustrated that he’s been held back by the medical staff a little bit but this has been planned for many months now that he would return to a second-level cricket, and get some days in the middle before the internal games up in Gold Coast,” he said.
Insley said Paine was ready both physically and emotionally to prove his worth for the Ashes.
“I think that’s why he’s here playing cricket. He wants to make sure he shows signs of good form and shows that he’s ready for selection and he’s ready to play cricket for summer,” Insley said.
“You know, I think that whenever you go through challenging times, you want to be around your mates and do what you do best and he’s an exceptional cricketer and he wants to play cricket and get ready for the Ashes.
“I think we all know Tim Paine’s a very determined individual.”
Day two of the match is likely to draw just as much attention as day one with Paine’s performance with the bat crucial to his push for an Ashes spot.
Chief selector watches on as Paine fights for Ashes spot
TIM Paine just wants to get back to playing cricket.
The Tasmanian has had a gut-wrenching few days following his announcement on Friday he would stand down from the Australian Test captaincy, effective immediately, due to his part in a sexting scandal.
Cricket Tasmania general manager of high performance Simon Insley said Paine’s focus right now was proving he would be fit, and in form, for the first Ashes test in Brisbane next month.
Paine has not played a competitive match for several months due to Australia’s long break from Test cricket and then his recovery from neck surgery.
Cricket Australia’s chief selector George Baliey was spotted at the field as Paine gloved up and took to the the Lindisfarne oval for the first session.
Paine played for Tasmania’s Second XI against a South Australian selection. He has been retained in the Ashes squad despite stepping down as skipper.
“I think he’s looking forward to a game of cricket, obviously that was meant to come on the weekend on Saturday, but the Hobart weather wasn’t kind and it was the 62nd rained out game in our premier competition,” Insley said.
“And Tim was ready to get around his friends and his university teammates, friends of 20 years, but now there’s an opportunity here today to get back on the park after months of rehabilitation and ready to take some cricket balls behind the stumps and hit some cricket balls in the middle of the bat.
“So he’s ready to play cricket.”
Medical staff remain confident Paine will be right for the Ashes.
“He’s ready to go,” Insley said.
“He’s probably been frustrated that he’s been held back by the medical staff a little bit. But this has been planned for many months now that he would return to a second level cricket, and get some days in the middle before the internal games up in Gold Coast.”
Paine will bat at No. 5, with Mitch Owen captaining Tasmania’s second XI.
“You know, I think that’s whenever you go through challenging times, you want to be around your mates and do what you do best,” Insley said.
“And he’s an exceptional cricketer and he wants to play cricket and get ready for the Ashes.”
Insley is confident Paine will be part of the Aussie Ashes team this summer.
“I think that’s why he’s here playing cricket. He wants to make sure he shows signs of good form and shows that he’s ready for selection. And he’s ready to play cricket for summer.
“I think we all know Tim Paine’s a very determined individual.”
He said the second XI squad was “ready to get around Tim” in the wake of the last few emotional days.
“I think they’re excited to play with Tim Paine, regardless of what’s happened in the last few days. So yeah, they’re excited to support their friend and play cricket with one of their colleagues.
“It’s been a frustrating time with his injury and you know, everyone is hurting through the noise in the last few days and ready to get around his friends and play cricket.”
Insley said this had been a “very, very calculated return to cricket” for Paine.
“So if there are any concerns on his fitness, he wouldn’t be playing ... he’s felt he’s been ready for a long period of time. But with Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia’s medical support, this was always the day that he returned to professional cricket.
“I think he’s ready to be around his friends and his teammates. So he was very excited to play premier cricket with friends of 20 years at university.
“And now he’s ready to play with his colleagues today.
“And there’s no better place for him than that.”
Originally published as Tim Paine just ‘ready to play cricket’ ahead of Ashes
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