Tim Paine handed massive new boost in bid for Ashes selection
Tim Paine's potential selection in Australia's XI for the Ashes has received a boost after the wicketkeeper opted to play an additional match to allay fitness concerns.
Paine resigned as Test captain when sexual messages he sent a female employee at Cricket Tasmania in 2017 were published.
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However, he still made himself available for selection for the Test XI.
Reports suggest players are disgruntled with Cricket Australia (CA) following Paine's resignation after they thought he wasn't shown enough support from the governing body.
And now, Paine has been named in Tasmania's 12-man squad for a one-day clash against Western Australia on Friday at Bellerive Oval.
He is playing a second XI game for Tasmania in Hobart and was originally expected to head to Queensland after the match for an intra-squad game involving the Test squad beginning December 1.
The one-day game will give Paine, who spent about six months sidelined with injury, a crucial extra high-level hit-out.
Shane Warne hits out at Tim Paine selection
Paine's position in the team has been a source of debate since his press conference.
Shane Warne is one critic that has called for Josh Inglis to get the nod.
Warne has called for a change considering Paine's criticism following the series loss against India earlier in the year.
“He had his moments during recent series — especially last summer against India — which left us all questioning his tactical nous and his actual playing role. Bowlers are to blame here too, but the captain has to be held accountable," Warne wrote for The Herald Sun.
And Warne was clear Inglis should get the nod after a strong domestic season.
“He’s a great team man who I saw first hand at the London Spirit this year. He’s 26. Bang, get him in," Warne added.
Paine didn't do too much to help his case this week in the second XI match as he took nine catches, but scoring just one run.
Regardless, Paine has the support of a number of teammates with Test batter Marnus Labuschagne reaching out to his former captain.
Opener Marcus Harris believes the veteran gloveman will be welcomed back with open arms.
"I'm a close friend of Tim and I love and support him so I hope everything is going well for him," Labuschagne said in Adelaide on Wednesday.
with AAP
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