Paine’s Tassie dream a reality
THE dream of playing — and captaining — his country on home soil is set to come to fruition for Tim Paine when Test cricket returns to Tasmania next summer following a fiveyear absence.
Australia will host Afghanistan in a one-off Test at Blundstone Arena in late November, a vital match for the side as it prepares for its Ashes defence against England.
It will be the state’s first Test since 2016, when South Africa destroyed the hosts for just 85 on the opening morning before recording an innings-and-80run victory.
Reports interstate on Wednesday night said the 2021-22 schedule would be officially unveiled next week, and Hobart would kick off a crowded international men’s schedule.
The Gabba looks set to be the starting point for the Ashes.
For Test skipper Paine, it will be his first match in national colours in his home town as he enters the twilight of his career.
Last year the 36-year-old told the Mercury it would be “unbelievable” to lead the side into battle at a venue where he had been going to work for 20 years.
Now he will do so in the historic first ever Test between Australia and Afghanistan.
Cricket Tasmania did not confirm the schedule when
contacted last night, but issue a brief statement.
“It’s no secret that Cricket Tasmania want to see Test cricket return to Blundstone Arena, and we’ll continue to work with Cricket Australia and the Tasmanian Government on delivering international content,” GM communications and Government relations Tim Lovibond said.
“The opportunity for Tim Paine to captain the Australian Test side on home soil is absolutely front of mind.
“We read a lot about inspiring the next generation to play sport in this state and I challenge anyone to present a more compelling example.”
The domestic men’s season looks likely to start during mid-September, which will clash with the finals of winter sporting codes.
That will give international red-ball-only players two months of Sheffield Shield before the Test summer begins. did