Picture Credit: Twitter

Picture Credit: Twitter

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine is set to make his return to top-flight cricket after nearly a year. Paine quit Test captaincy last November after he was investigated for sending inappropriate text messages to a female former receptionist at state governing body Cricket Tasmania. 


Paine will play for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield against Queensland in Brisbane this week. He wasn’t offered a contract after he moved away from the game last summer but will don the gloves at the Allan Border Field on Thursday.


The Tasmania coach Jeff Vaughan talked about how Paine has been training with the team for the last few months and was on the table for playing one-day matches. "He has been training with us the last couple of months," Vaughan told reporters on Tuesday. 


"And it wasn't until we selected over the last week or two, firstly his name was on the table for one-day cricket and then he was on the table last week when we selected (the Shield). And it was quite unanimous that everyone wanted one of the world's best wicketkeepers into our side."


Vaughan backed Paine to get into the swing of things quickly for the Tigers on his 148th first-class game. "We have absolute faith and trust in Tim and his preparation," Vaughan said. "Physically he is probably in the greatest spot of his physical career, emotionally he is sound. He has been training really well with us for the last two months. We have got full faith in his wicketkeeping skillset so he has ticked all of the boxes."


Australia T20 captain Aaron Finch also welcomed Paine to top-flight cricket. "I think it's really good for Australian cricket to have Tim around," Finch said. "For Tasmania to have his experience back around the side with a squad that that has got a few young players, the Tasmanian side will be better for that. I think Australian cricket is better for having Tim involved in a playing capacity."