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'Gone mad': Tim Paine at centre of Sheffield Shield controversy

Chris Young
·Sports Reporter

Former Australian spinner and cult favourite Brad Hogg has labelled Tasmania’s decision to rest Test captain Tim Paine ‘sports science gone mad’.

Hogg took to Twitter to pan the Tigers’ decision, arguing Paine needed as much time behind the crease as possible after a lean stretch with the bat.

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Promising keeping prospect Jake Doran wore the gloves for Tasmania as they took on the Bushrangers.

“Paine not playing Sheffield Shield today?” Hogg wrote on Twitter.

Australian captain Tim Paine, pictured playing for Tasmania, was controversially rested from their Sheffield Shield match against Victoria.
Australian Test and Tasmanian wicketkeeper Tim Paine was controversially rested against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield, a move which has ruffled a few feathers. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“He's not playing white ball cricket (concentrating on tests), played 70 days of the last 283, faced 920 balls, limited runs under his belt, sport science gone made gone mad with workloads.

“Needs time in the middle.”

Tigers trap Pucovski twice in two days

Youngster Will Pucovski has fallen cheaply for the second time in two days, as Tasmania tightened the screws on Victoria in their Sheffield Shield match.

The highly rated 21-year-old, touted as a Test debutant for Australia this summer, was trapped lbw by quick Gabe Bell for seven in the second innings.

Victoria grafted to 2-59 at tea on day two at Bellerive Oval, trailing by 40 runs in a low-scoring clash on a green pitch.

Pucovski, batting at No.3, managed just three in the first innings on Thursday after his side was sent in and skittled for 127.

Test opener Marcus Harris has fared better and is unbeaten on 34 after scoring 13 in the first innings.

Earlier, Matthew Wade top scored for Tasmania with 69 before the Tigers were dismissed for 226 not long after lunch.

It was the first half-century of the Shield season for the Tasmania skipper, who has a lock on a middle-order spot for Australia's first Test against against Pakistan on November 21.

WITH AAP