Tim Paine beats out Darren Lehmann to win Adelaide Strikers top BBL coaching job

Former Australia captain Tim Paine has been appointed Adelaide Strikers BBL coach, beating out a South Australian favourite son for the role.

Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine has edged out one of South Australian cricket’s favourite sons to be appointed head coach of the Adelaide Strikers’ BBL team.

Three years after his international playing career controversially ended when he resigned on the eve of the 2021-22 Ashes, the former Test gloveman has been named as departed coach Jason Gillespie’s replacement, signing a two-year deal.

Paine won the job ahead of SA cricket legend and former Australia coach Darren Lehmann.

The announcement comes just a week after former Australia Test paceman Ryan Harris was named as coach of SA’s men’s team (formerly the Redbacks), which had also been coached by Gillespie, who resigned from his dual roles in March to coach Pakistan’s Test team.

Paine served as an assistant coach to Gillespie at the Strikers last summer.

Lehmann – SA’s greatest first-class run scorer – had also put his hand up to coach the Strikers after coaching the Brisbane Heat between 2019 and 2021, before stepping back to an assistant’s role with the Queensland team.

Tim Paine in his role as Adelaide Strikers assistant coach last summer. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Tim Paine captaining Australia in 2021. Picture: Jono Searle/Getty Images

Tasmanian Paine’s coaching credentials also include a stint as assistant coach for Australia A in its 2023 series against New Zealand, while he has also worked as coach and mentor with Australia’s under-19s program.

South Australian Cricket Association chief executive Charlie Hodgson said Paine had impressed “on multiple levels’’ during the recruitment process.

“Tim’s leadership qualities, tactical insights and ability to foster a strong and united team environment within the Strikers’ playing group was a significant factor in the team’s success in reaching last summer’s Challenger Final,” Hodgson said.

“We are also delighted with his clear vision to ensure the Strikers remain closely involved and strongly aligned to South Australia’s cricket development programs and to further enhance the club’s standing among the state’s loyal and passionate cricket fans.”

Paine played 35 Test matches for Australia, including 23 as captain, from 2010-21.

He had 157 dismissals (150 catches, seven stumpings) and averaged 32.63 with the bat.

He also played 35 One-Day Internationals and 12 T20 Internationals.

He resigned as Test captain in November 2021, on the eve of that summer’s Ashes series, when details of a 2017 sexting scandal surfaced.

Paine, 39, said he was “honoured and excited by the opportunity to coach such a well-established and strongly supported club’’.

Tim Paine (left) with Darren Lehmann in 2018. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

“After spending time in Adelaide last year I believe the Strikers team and the whole of South Australian cricket has huge potential and I’m looking forward to being part of taking it forward and winning a few trophies,’’ he said.

“Having been on the losing side when the Strikers defeated Hobart Hurricanes to claim their first title win in BBL07, I can vouch for the fantastic atmosphere created by the fans at Adelaide Oval.

“And the backing the boys received last season was a large factor in the success we experienced in the second half of BBL13, so we’re working hard to build on that momentum in the coming summer.

“I believe we have an immensely talented and versatile squad which we will finalise over the next few weeks.”

Paine’s first formal duty as Strikers coach will be attending the BBL14 Player Draft on September 1.

The Strikers, who will be boosted by having master blaster batter Chris Lynn available for the entire tournament after he had previously left the BBL early to play in the ILT20, will start their new campaign against Sydney Thunder in Canberra on December 17.

Their first home match at Adelaide Oval will be against Melbourne Stars on December 20.

Originally published as Tim Paine beats out Darren Lehmann to win Adelaide Strikers top BBL coaching job