Tim Paine named for Sheffield Shield return after hiatus from cricket
Former Aussie captain Tim Paine is set to end his hiatus from first class cricket after being named in Tasmania's Sheffield Shield ranks.
Paine has been included in Tasmania's squad for the Shield game against Queensland starting on Thursday in Brisbane.
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The 37-year-old quit the Test captaincy in November last year after a 2017 sexting controversy came to light only weeks before the Ashes series against England.
Paine has not played a first-class game since April last year.
However, he returned to Hobart club ranks last Sunday and took a catch and made an unbeaten 20 for University in a win against New Town.
Head coach Jeff Vaughan believed this was enough to earn selection for the match this week against the Bulls at Allan Border Field.
And he appears all but set to line-up behind the stumps for Tasmania.
Unfortunately for Tasmania, Matthew Wade and Nathan Ellis were unavailable due to commitments with the national side.
HE’S BACK!
Tim Paine has been named in the @TasmanianTigers 13-man squad for their clash against @qldcricket starting at Allan Border Field on Thursday.
I doubt he’s going all that way to carry the drinks… so you can just about🔒him into the starting XI.
Brilliant news 💪 pic.twitter.com/QOQrbUX6S8— Brent Costelloe (@brentcostelloe) October 4, 2022
Tim Paine has been named in Tasmania's 13 man squad for Thursday's Sheffield Shield match against Queensland. Can probably all but lock him in to play as well.
— Patrick Gray (@PatrickM_Gray) October 4, 2022
Tim Paine welcomed back in cricket return
Last week, Paine was put forward as a possible candidate for selection by coach Vaughan.
While Paine has made no indication he intends to push to be selected for Australia once again, Vaughan said the former Test wicketkeeper was in good shape and that he'd been caught off-guard by his desire to play once more.
Vaughan said Paine's experience and leadership would be invaluable for Tasmania.
His expected return to the fold was also welcomed by Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dom Baker last week.
Baker was approached by Paine back in August to request permission to train with the side, which was granted.
Paine has received plenty of backing from Tasmania.
Former Test captain Ricky Ponting, who was recently appointed as head of strategy for the Hobart Hurricanes, has also openly stated his desire for Paine to again play for the BBL franchise.
Paine tearfully resigned as captain of Australia just three weeks out from the start of the 2021/22 Ashes series.
When the messages became public it was Paine's decision to step down, but one which Cricket Australia supported and felt was appropriate.
At the time of Paine stepping away from cricket, CA chief executive Nick Hockley said his organisation wanted to see him back "as quickly as possible".
"Would love to see him play again, for both his state and for Australia," Hockley told SEN.
"We want to see him back out there, playing and performing, as quickly as possible."
with AAP
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