‘Incredibly blessed’: Tim Paine retires from all forms of domestic cricket

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has retired from all forms of domestic cricket, playing his final match for Tasmania this week.

Tim Paine of the Tigers. Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has retired from all forms of domestic cricket, effective immediately.

The 38-year-old played his final Sheffield Shield match for Tasmania this week, a draw against Queensland in Hobart, receiving a guard of honour from teammates and opponents while exiting Blundstone Arena on Friday afternoon.

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Paine has represented Tasmania in 95 Sheffield Shield matches since making his first-class debut in 2005 — he finishes his career with 296 dismissals, a state record.

“He’s been a phenomenal player,” Tasmanian captain Jordan Silk told reporters on Friday.

“It’s an effort to have the longevity that he’s had.

“He’s certainly going to be missed behind the stumps. I don’t think there will ever be another wicketkeeper as good as Tim Paine in Australia.

“We’ve been incredibly blessed down here, and we wish him all the best.”

Paine sent off with an honour guard. Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images

Paine also represented Australia in 35 Tests, serving as captain between 2018 and 2021.

Most Sheffield Shield dismissals for Tasmanian wicketkeepers

296 — Tim Paine

262 — Mark Atkinson

232 — Sean Clingeleffer

110 — Roger Woolley

107 — Richard Soule

An inspiring captain, one of our finest glovesman, and a legend of Tasmanian and Australian cricket.

Congratualtions Tim Paine on a truly wonderful career 💚❤️💛#WeAreTigerspic.twitter.com/MkWvmBQPRR

— Tasmanian Tigers (@TasmanianTigers) March 17, 2023

Massive congratulations to @tdpaine36 on an exceptional career with the @TasmanianTigers and @CricketAus 💪 pic.twitter.com/0oDPUVhqRp

— Brent Costelloe (@brentcostelloe) March 17, 2023

Paine won two Sheffield Shield titles with Tasmania, including the state’s maiden triumph in 2007. He captained the Tigers in 18 Sheffield Shield matches between 2010 and 2021, winning seven.

After stepping down from the Test side in the wake of revelations he sent explicit messages to a Cricket Tasmania employee, Paine was not offered a state contract ahead of the 2022/23 summer.

However, the right-hander was picked for Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield opener against Queensland after stepping away from the sport for 10 months, playing seven first-class matches this season.

Originally published as ‘Incredibly blessed’: Tim Paine retires from all forms of domestic cricket