Tim Paine waiting game continues as rain halts Hobart cricket match

Tim Paine’s long-awaited cricket comeback match has been called off. The fallen Test captain spent the day in the change rooms, emerging only after the game was abandoned mid-afternoon.

FORMER Australian Test captain Tim Paine must wait until Monday for his comeback to cricket after his club match was abandoned in Hobart on Saturday.

Paine, who dropped a bombshell on Friday by resigning in the wake of a four-year-old sexting scandal, laid low on Saturday in the change rooms at Queenborough Oval, a suburban ground in Sandy Bay, for his club University’s match against South Hobart-Sandy Bay in the Cricket Tasmania Premier League.

Monday will be his first game in eight months, and follows career-saving neck surgery in September to fix a problem with a bulging disc, caused by stooping over in his wicketkeeping position.

Rain overnight made Queenborough’s centre wicket area heavy underfoot and umpires inspected the wicket five times before finally calling it quits mid-afternoon.

The waiting media then got their first glimpse of Paine.

He walked out with his Uni teammates in tight formation in a show of solidarity.

Tim Paine leaves Queenborough Oval after Saturday’s play was called off. Picture: Chris Kidd

Asked what support he had received since his resignation, Paine said: “I’m not talking today.”

Paine, who will turn 37 in a few weeks, resigned as Test captain but hopes to play against England in the upcoming Ashes series starting next month.

Earlier in the day, chairman of selectors George Bailey visited Paine in the change rooms as he waited for play to start.

Bailey slipped out a rear exit of the change rooms and out of the ground through a locked gate hoping not to be spotted.

Asked if he could make a comment on his meeting with Paine and what was discussed, Bailey shook his head and said: “No.”

Paine’s car was parked in a rear carpark. Shortly before the Uni players walked out, Tasmanian Sheffield Shield paceman Peter Siddle jumped in the luxury sedan and drove it away.

Paine walked through the media pack and climbed in an SUV, from where it is believed he was driven to Blundstone Arena for batting practice at the indoor nets.

Tim Paine leaves Queenborough Oval. Picture: Chris Kidd

Paine will play for Tasmania in a Second XI game against South Australia in Hobart starting on Monday.

University high-performance manager Ben Harrison had no doubt Paine should retain his place in the Australian side.

“Tim’s the best wicketkeeper in the country,” Harrison said.

“The Australian Test team should pick the best players to play the roles, and I don’t think there is anyone who would keep better.”

Harrison said Paine was a respected member of the University Cricket Club.

“His impact on the development of players, whether they be batters, wicketkeepers or bowlers has been enormous,” he said.

“Tim doesn’t always take the glove for us. He’s in the field a lot of the time as well. The work that he does with them out on the field just adds another layer to the coaching program and adds such a great support to all of the coaches throughout the club.”

University high-performance manager Ben Harrison. Picture: Chris Kidd

Rain delay for Paine’s cricket comeback

AUSTRALIAN chairman of selectors selector George Bailey spent time with fallen Test captain Tim Paine in Hobart this morning as he waited for play to start in his cricket comeback.

A day on from his shock resignation prompted by a 2017 sexting scandal, Paine is scheduled to play his first game since last summer, and following neck surgery two months ago.

Paine was at suburban Queenborough Oval but remained in the change rooms for most of the day before emerging mid-afternoon to leave the ground.

Bailey slipped out a rear entrance to the change rooms hoping not to be spotted.

Asked if he could make a comment on his meeting with Paine and what was discussed, Bailey shook his head and said: “No.”

Australian chairman of selectors George Bailey leaving Queenborough Oval through a back entrance. Picture: James Bresnehan

Paine has resigned as Test captain but still hopes to play against England in the upcoming Ashes series starting next month.

The Cricket Tasmania Premier League game between Paine’s club team University and South Hobart-Sandy Bay has been delayed due to a wet centre wicket area.

Players and officials hope some play may be possible later in the afternoon.

Rain adds extra time to Paine delay

TIM Paine’s comeback to cricket has been stalled by a heavy deck at the suburban ground in Hobart where his club side University was scheduled to play but the Lions guarantee when play starts, Paine will bat or take the gloves.

Paine, who dropped a bombshell on Friday by resigning in the wake of a four-year-old sexting scandal, was nowhere to be seen when the captains and umpires went into the middle to inspect the wicket before the scheduled 10.30am start.

Wet weather is delaying start of the game, where Tim Paine is set to play for Uni, the day after his resignation as Test cricket captain. Picture: Chris Kidd

University high-performance manager Ben Harrison said Paine was at the ground and ready to pull on the pads and gloves

“He’s here and he will definitely play when we get under way,” Harrison said.

“Tim is the best wicketkeeper in Australia so it will be good to see him back playing again.”

It will be his first game in eight months, and follows neck surgery in September to fix a problem with a bulging disc.

Paine quit as Australian captain but remains hopeful of playing in the Ashes series against England as wicketkeeper.

The Cricket Tasmania Premier League game was the first step to achieving that.

He will also play for Tasmania in a Second XI game against South Australia in Hobart starting on Monday.

Groundsmen work to get the pitch ready for play. Picture: Chris Kidd

Overnight rain on Queenborough Oval in Sandy Bay made the centre wicket area too wet for an immediate start.

Harrison said Paine was a respected member of the University Cricket Club.

“His impact on the development of players, whether they be batters, wicketkeepers or bowlers, has been enormous,” he said.

“Tim doesn’t always take the glove for us. He’s in the field a lot of the time as well. The work that he does with them out on the field just adds another layer to the coaching program and adds such a great support to all of the coaches throughout the club.”