Tim Paine starts new journey; replaces Jason Gillespie to become head coach of Adelaide Strikers in BBL

Former Australia skipper Tim Paine has become the new head coach of Big Bash League (BBL) team Adelaide Strikers. Paine has replaced Jason Gillespie, who was the head coach of Adelaide Strikers till last season.

Paine's appointment is a huge surprise given that it hasn't even been two years since he ended his professional cricket career. After his retirement, he expressed his desire to join the coaching staff and worked as Jason Gillespie's assistant in the Adelaide Strikers' set-up last season.

But Gillespie had to leave the job due to his commitments with Pakistan as their new head coach for red-ball cricket. As a result, a position was vacated and Paine was chosen for the role.

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Tim Paine becomes the head coach of Adelaide Strikers in BBL

Paine's promotion to the role of head coach has been a rapid one. However, he has previous experience working in a coaching set-up. He has already been assistant to Adam Voges for Australia A teams. The 39-year-old has also worked with Australia's Under-19 set-up previously.

After the confirmation, Paine expressed his excitement for the role and lauded the Strikers team for having a huge potential to win trophies in the upcoming seasons.

"I am honoured and excited by the opportunity to coach such a well-established and strongly supported club, and I can't wait for the start of BBL 14 in December," Paine said.

"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 added.

Adelaide Strikers' performance in BBL 2023-24

Adelaide Strikers played well last season. They peaked at the right time by winning four wins in a row to make it to the knockout game where they defeated the home favorites Perth Scorchers by 50 runs. They lost the Challenger to the eventual champions Brisbane Heat to be knocked out of the tournament.

Tim Paine's first job as Adelaide Strikers' head coach will be to oversee the BBL draft that will take place on September 1. The new head coach will have the team's captain Matthew Short. Adelaide Strikers' squad will also receive a huge boost with the addition of BBL veteran Chris Lynn in their squad for this season.

Tim Paine's last international match

Tim Paine played his final first-class match in March 2023 for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield match between Tasmania and Queensland in Hobart. His last international match turned out to be the famous Test match at Gabba between Australia and India, in which India ended Australia's 32-year unbeaten streak at the venue. Paine was Australia's captain in that game but was soon replaced by Pat Cummins.

Tim Paine announced his international retirement on a controversial note just before the 2021-22 Ashes series, in which Australia defeated England 4-0 at home.