Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine is all set to return to competitive cricket as he has resumed training with the Tasmanian Sheffield Shield squad ahead of the 2022-23 first-class season. The wicket-keeper batter stepped down from the captaincy role of Australia men's Test cricket team stating, "indefinite mental health break" following a scandal which shook the Cricket Australia ahead of the 2021-22 season. 

Also Read

  • mohammad-hasnain-sportstiger

    Asia Cup 2022: Mohammad Hasnain to replace Shaheen Afridi in Pakistan squad for upcoming T20 tournament

  • tim-paine-sportstiger

    Former Australia Test skipper Tim Paine resumes training, set to make a comeback in First Class cricket

The 37-year-old has been training with Tasmania for several weeks and might feature at the club level first in order to advance into the state's first team. Notably, Paine is not under a contract with Tasmania but was granted all-clear to train with the squad ahead of the new season. Reports have claimed that Paine could be back to competitive cricket by the start of the summer when the state play Queensland at Allan Border Field on October 6.

Cricket Tasmania's Chief Executive Dom Baker reportedly said that he is pretty pleased to see the wicket-keeper batter back in the field and requested him to grant permission. "It was just great to see him come into my office and request permission to train. He started his cricket career at the age of 16 years here and has been part of our cricket ever since," said Baker.

He further confirmed that Paine is training as an uncontracted player to get fit for club cricket, and if he proves to be nearby his best, he might be seen playing state cricket again. "All of Tasmania and I think most of Australia wants to see him finish his career on his own terms," concluded Baker.

The Hobart-born cricketer was trusted with Australian Test captaincy following David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft's ban for the ball-tampering saga. While, Australia cricket were going through its darkest phase, the sexting scandal which alleged Tim Paine's involvement added more woes to the situation.  

As the news broke out, Tim Paine stepped down from captaincy of the Test team stating "indefinite mental health break" ahead of the 2021-22 Ashes, which saw Pat Cummins being appointed as the skipper of Test team.