Ex-Australia Captain Tim Paine All Set For Cricket Comeback – Reports

Former Australia National Cricket Team Test captain Tim Paine is all set to make a comeback to cricket very soon, reported The Australian. The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman has been training with the Tasmania squad in recent weeks and he could represent the side in the upcoming Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at Allan Border Field on October 6.

The 37-year-old has been out of action for a very long time now. Tim Paine stepped down from Australia’s Test captaincy ahead of the Ashes 2021-22 after his involvement in a sexting scandal became public.

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Notably, back in 2017, he sent messages of a sexual nature to a female co-worker and was investigated by Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania. Also, he had decided to take an ” indefinite mental health break” from cricket.

Meanwhile, Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dom Baker also confirmed that Paine has been training with the Tasmania squad as an uncontracted player.

“He started here as just a 16-year-old all those years ago and has been a part of our cricket ever since,” Baker told The Australian, as quoted by The West Australian.

“He is training as an uncontracted player to get fit for club cricket, but if he proves to be anywhere near his best expect to see him playing state cricket again. All of Tasmania and I think most of Australia wants to see him finish his career on his own terms.”

Getting back to cricket is a crucial part of Tim’s recovery – Tim Paine’s manager

James Henderson, who is the manager of the former Australia National Cricket Team Test captain Paine, told The Australian that the 37-year-old was taking “baby steps for now” and making a comeback to cricket is a crucial part of his recovery.

“It’s been a tough time in so many ways and getting back to cricket is a crucial part of Tim’s recovery,” he said.

Also, there is no confirmation of Tim Paine’s participation in the upcoming season of the BBL. Earlier, legendary Australia National Cricket Team captain Ricky Ponting had said that Paine could join Hobart Hurricanes as a coach.

“I’ll talk to a few of the other people around about what I’d like to be able to achieve with the Hurricanes, (and that) is to bring as many great Tasmanian people back around the franchise as possible, and I think Tim Paine fits perfectly into that mould,” Ponting said.’

“So whenever and if he’s ever ready to walk back and put another purple shirt on, I’m sure lots of Tasmanians, would like to see him involved.”

Cricket Australia (CA) has already announced the complete schedule of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2022-23, which will be the 12th edition of Australia’s T20 competition.

The tournament is set to commence on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, with Sydney Thunder taking on the Melbourne Stars at the Manuka Oval, and the final of the T20 league will take place on February 4, 2022.

In the Big Bash League (BBL) 2022-23 a total of 56 games will be played in the league stage and the games will be played across 17 venues.

Also Read: David Warner Ready For ‘Honest Conversation’ With CA To Get Captaincy Ban Lifted

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