BBL news: Tim Paine return helps Hobart Hurricanes upset Melbourne Renegades

Tim Paine’s shock BBL return has helped inspire an incredible Hobart Hurricanes victory as the former Test captain delivered two important moments.

Tim Paine has helped inspire Hobart Hurricanes to a rousing triumph in his first BBL match in almost five years.

The former Test captain was rushed into the Hurricanes line-up for their Christmas Eve clash against Melbourne Renegades to replae suspended captain Matthew Wade.

Paine scored 10 from 12 balls in Hobart’s total of 122 before affecting a stumping and taking a catch which helped the Hurricanes defend a below-par score on a tricky pitch.

The previously-undefeated Renegades fell eight short in reply despite a late cameo from all-rounder Will Sutherland.

Paine was added to the 15-man squad on Saturday morning when Wade was suspended.

Wade has been rubbed out of the clash after incurring three Level One Code of Conduct breaches within 18 months.

Joel Paris and Tim Paine celebrate a wicket.

“The charges in that period relate to two instances of use of an audible obscenity and one instance of abuse of cricket equipment,” a Hurricanes statement read.

Hurricanes opener Ben McDermott was favoured to take the gloves from Wade but was also not been named, paving the way for Paine to play his first BBL match since early 2018.

“He’s a late induction. He was saying before that we missed out on a few hundred ticket sales because it wasn’t announced earlier,” an injured McDermott said on Fox Cricket.

“(He’ll bring) a lot of energy, obviously great with the gloves, we’re looking forward to seeing how he goes tonight.”

Tim Paine waits to bat during his BBL return.

Hobart coach Jeff Vaughan said: “He’s been around the ground for the first couple of weeks of the tournament and been around training.

“So (he) has got a good feel of how we’re trying to go about it. But a great addition to any team.”

Paddy Dooley with Tim Paine pre-match. Picture: Hobart Hurricanes

Former Aussie gloveman Brad Haddin said he expected Paine to relish a return to the BBL.

“He’ll bring a lot of excitement. He loves this form of the game,” Haddin said.

“We know he’s made his name in Test cricket and led Australia beautifully, he loves playing on the big occasions down here at his home ground.

“He’ll be excited. He’ll bring a lot of experience and some tidiness behind the stumps. Look at him to play a bigger role than you’d expect with the bat.”

Paine was in before the 10th ove with Hobart batting first after three wickets from David Moody rocked the home crowd.

He was in at No.6 with the Hurricanes reeling at 4-65 and made 10 from 12 balls before being trapped in front by Renegades spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman.

McDermott confirmed he missed the game due to a hamstring issue.

This is not a drill. 🚨

Painey is in the squad.

READ HERE: https://t.co/d95a9eRaSt 👈#TasmaniasTeam#BBBL12pic.twitter.com/t8qlH0ZgoI

— Hobart Hurricanes (@HurricanesBBL) December 24, 2022

Amazing to see @tdpaine36 back. #bbl

— Adam Crosthwaite (@AJCrosthwaite) December 24, 2022

The 38-year-old was initially named at No. 7 in the Hurricanes’ batting line-up but came in earlier.

Paine, who stood down as Test captain in November last year amid a sexting scandal, has turned out in three Sheffield Shield matches since the start of October.