Domestic cricketers are fully behind a proposal to start the Sheffield Shield season in a hub

AFL clubs have spent the majority of the season in hubs in Queensland and Australia’s Test captain said a similar move to start the domestic first-class season has the backing of players.

Australian Test Captain Tim Paine says a proposed hub to start the Sheffield Shield season has the backing of domestic players across the country. Picture: Zak Simmonds

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TEST captain Tim Paine says players are fully behind a proposal to kickstart the Sheffield Shield season in a hub to get action underway this summer.

A domestic fixture is set to be released by Cricket Australia soon, with Adelaide understood to be the most likely location for all six states to be based for at least four weeks from early next month.

South Australia has three first-class rated venues — Adelaide Oval, Glenelg and Karen Rolton Oval — with each state set to play four Shield matches leading into the scheduled one-off Test against Afghanistan and blockbuster series against India.

Paine send spending a month in a biosecure “bubble” environment was a small price to pay, and that players owe the game which gives them a good livelihood.

“I think domestically in particular there will be something announced in the coming week or days even, there are just a few final things that need to be ticked off at Government level, which is something that Cricket Australia haven’t had to do before,” Paine said at a press call announcing Vodafone has come back on board as a sponsor for both the men’s and women’s international teams and the WBBL.

Australian Test Captain, Tim Paine and Australian Women’s Team player, Nicola Carey as Vodafone signs up as partners with Cricket Australia. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“My understanding is its been ticked off by the states, by Cricket Australia, by the players, it now just has to go to that next level.

“As soon as it [hubs] happened with the AFL we knew it was going to be pretty similar for us, particularly from a domestic point of view to start our season.

“For us to go into hubs for a month or two or three is a pretty small price to pay to keep the game moving forward and making sure a number of people in the industry still have jobs.

Paine says Tasmanian players have discussed what the start of the domestic season would look like in a hub. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

“At the moment while it is a bit different, I think the players see it as something we need to do and something that is a pretty small sacrifice.

“Guys who play domestic cricket and international cricket have a pretty good life and we owe a lot to the game of cricket.”

While Australia’s ODI and T20 squads are in the UK about to embark on a white ball series, Paine is busy preparing for the mouth watering four Test showdown against India.

The 35-year-old has poured over plenty of vision while stuck at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic — but wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Since I have been able to concentrate on one format of the game I quite like spending time thinking about it and analysing and see where we can pick holes in this Indian side.

Indian captain Virat Kohli and Tim Paine will renew their rivalry this summer in a blockbuster Test series. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“The more I look at it the more excited I am. It is a heavyweight clash, it is two of the biggest nations, two of the best teams, some of the best players who have ever played the game all going at it.

“I can’t wait, I get excited every time I think about it, I have been thinking about it a lot and looking at a lot of footage and studying some of their players, but that’s my job.”

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