Australian Test captain Tim Paine throws support behind Chamber Top End Series, Cricket 365
EXCLUSIVE: Test captain Tim Paine is the latest high-profile personality to throw his support behind the constantly-evolving Cricket 365 program.
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TEST captain Tim Paine is the latest high-profile personality to throw his support behind the constantly-evolving Cricket 365 program.
The 36-year-old was in Darwin as an assistant coach of the Cricket Australia XI outfit which salvaged a 1-all draw against NT Strike in the Chamber Top End Series.
That was after three thrilling 50-over matches which proved the Territory can compete against some of the best young players in the country.
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Paine’s endorsement echoed the views of Cricket Australia high performance coach Troy Cooley, who was also in Darwin as coach of the CA XI outfit.
Cooley told the Sunday Territorian that Cricket 365 – an NT Cricket program – was fast becoming a sound alternative to going to England for elite Australian cricketers during the winter months.
And Paine was on the same page at the completion of the Chamber Top End Series on Sunday night.
“Certainly for guys who are playing club cricket around Australia, and who want to continue to learn and continue to get better there’s a great opportunity now for them to come up here,” Paine said.
“And play not only club cricket, but to be a part of Cricket 365 where you can mix in with guys who are on state contracts and you can learn off them through the whole winter.
“And then go back to your home states and play club cricket.
“So to be able to play cricket 12 months of the year and continually learn off players who have been there and done that I think it’s a great program.”
Paine also spoke highly of the conditions at both DXC Arena at Marrara and Gardens Oval, where the three limited overs matches were played.
“I’ve absolutely loved Darwin. The weather’s been terrific, the facilities here (at Marrara), the wicket, the venue here has been awesome,” he said.
“For me to come up and do a bit of coaching and to learn it’s been really exciting to work with some of the best under-19 cricketers in the country.
“So for me to be able to share my experiences with them over the 20-odd years I’ve been playing I’ve really enjoyed it.
“I’ve got something out of it, and it was nice to see the boys improve game after game.”
Paine was also impressed with the quality of cricket he witnessed, particularly from the Territory outfit.
“They were very evenly-matched teams. One team had some Australian under-19 players, and the other team had some young guys from the NT mixed in with (experience),” he said.
“We had Chris Tremain and Jason Sangha, and the NT had Beau Webster and Tom Andrews.
“Both teams had a mix of some young guys with experienced players out there who could help them on the field.
“And then some coaches around like Troy Cooley and Greg Shipperd (with the Strike) – there were some really experienced coaches, as well.
“So for the young guys it was a really valuable week.”
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