Former Test skipper getting back into cricket

After walking away from the game completely, former Test captain Tim Paine is making a return of sorts, but will he play again? FULL STORY >>

TIM Paine is slowly making his way back into cricket but it is still unknown whether the former Australian Test skipper will play again.

Paine, who stood down firstly as national captain and then from playing completely on the eve of the home Ashes due to a historic sexting scandal, has been helping out at Cricket Tasmania as an assistant coach for the Tiger’s men’s program.

Interim Tigers coach Ali de Winter said the program was light on for experience given the departures of Jeff Vaughan and Michael Di Venuto to the Australian set up and the sudden resignation of director of coaching and Hurricanes coach Adam Griffith.

“He (Paine) has been great, he has stepped into the coaching breach for us,” de Winter said.

“He hasn’t done any training but it has been great to have him around the group and it’s been nice distraction for him to spend some time with us.

“He’s been great with the young players stepping in, where he stands with his playing of cricket, I don’t think he’s thought that far ahead.

“I think he’s just enjoying his re-entry into our group and just focusing on family life.”

England v Australia - Fourth Test - Day Five - 2019 Ashes Series - Emirates Old Trafford

Paine has also been a frequent watcher of his CTPL club University and de Winter said Paine’s commitment to the Tigers was not half-hearted.

“He’s genuinely here all the time when we are training and he’s still doing his own physical training,” he said.

“He’s not doing any batting or wicketkeeping but he’s certainly been present around the group and its been nice to have him about.”

It is understood Cricket Tasmania will sit down with Paine, 37, to see if he wants to play on next season or move into a coaching or other off field role.

The Tigers and Hurricanes men’s programs are both without head coaches.

De Winter took the position initially as an interim role, but after doing a more than solid job, with the Tigers is now weighing up whether to apply for the full time role.

“I had a bit of time to think about it,’ de Winter said.

“The focus now has to be the chance to make some finals. I think I’ll overcome that bridge when I come to it.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Ali de Winter, Australian Bowling Coach during an Australian Training Session at Trent Bridge on July 8, 2013 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

“I know there is a parallel process with a recruitment company going on.

“I think my role now is to just make sure we give ourselves the best chance of playing finals cricket.

“If we win that becomes a different decision to me on where I want to take my coaching.”

CT’s recruitment process is continuing but the organisation is also mindful if there are any changes at the national level following Justin Langer’s departure, given his assistants – Vaughan and Di Venuto – both have strong ties to the state.

The Tigers will return to Sheffield Shield cricket on Friday against NSW at the SCG without Ben McDermott and Matthew Wade due to national duties and the injured Jarrod Freeman (hamstring), Jordan Silk (hamstring), Charlie Wakim (lower back), Riley Meredith (rib), Lawrence Neil-Smith (foot) and Nathan Ellis (side strain).