Tim Paine Comeback: Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine is all set for his comeback in cricket. Tim Paine was not picked in Tasmania’s first Marsh Cup team of the new season despite practising with Tasminia Tigers for the previous six weeks. But he is still available for selection for Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield opener. Since resigning as Test captain in November 2021 due to a sexting controversy, Paine has not played any cricket. Follow InsideSport.IN for LIVE updates about Cricket Australia
Tim Paine Comeback: Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine set for comeback, will play 1st match after SEXTING SCANDAL: Check OUT
Also Read: Tim Paine sexting scandal: Big development as Tim Paine ‘takes indefinite leave’, will not play the Ashes: Follow LIVE Updates
In April 2021, Tim Paine played his final first-class game. However, the 37-year-old returned to Tasmania during the preseason after telling new coach Jeff Vaughan that he wanted to start playing again.
Paine has been practising with the Tasmanian team since mid-August, but he was left off of the 14-player Marsh Cup squad that was announced on Monday. The Tigers will play South Australia in their 50-over domestic opener in Brisbane on Wednesday, and will then play Queensland in Brisbane on Friday.
Tim PaineHowever, the former captain is “up for selection,” according to Vaughan, for the first Shield match against Queensland. The shield match gets underway in Brisbane on Thursday.
“To be honest, that one kind of appeared out of nowhere. He visited the CEO and me one day and said he would like to return and that he would undoubtedly play cricket for the university,” Vaughan told ESPNcricinfo.
“So he’s been training with us most sessions the last five or six weeks. Physically, (he’s) going well, emotionally going well. I’m sure everyone would agree that we trust his wicketkeeping skill set, his leadership skill set, so he’s up for selection.”
Tim Paine Comeback: What was Tim Paine Sexting scandal
According to paperwork submitted to the Federal Court, Paine, 37, is accused of texting Renee Ferguson, a former employee of Cricket Tasmania, indecent texts in 2017 that included an unsolicited photograph of his genitalia.
Ferguson worked for the state’s cricket organisation from 2015 and 2017.
Paine quit Australia Test captaincy in November 2021 after lewd texts he had allegedly sent became public.
Ferguson is also involved in a different legal dispute before the Federal Court where she is suing Cricket Tasmania for alleged sexual harassment.
Tim Paine Comeback: Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine set for comeback, will play 1st match after SEXTING SCANDAL: Check OUT