Paine lingers but door open for return
THERE is hope former Australian Test captain Tim Paine may not be lost to cricket despite the emotional toll of the past 12 months.
Paine no longer has a contract as a professional cricketer after not being offered a spot on Tasmania’s list while he remains on mental health leave.
The wicketkeeper resigned the national captaincy and then stepped down from playing all together due to a historic sexting scandal.
Cricket Tasmania Dominic Baker said if the 37-year-old returned to club cricket and found form and fitness and wished to be considered, he would be available for selection even without a contract.
“There has been no discussion on whether he’s retiring or anything like that,” Baker said.
“We certainly rang his manager and said we are finalising our contacts and Tim’s on mental health leave so we won’t be offering him one and he was fine with it.”
The concern for Paine remains his mental health and the toll the scandal has taken on him and his family.
“I’ve been concerned about his health for about six months,” Baker said. “As a lot of people know I’ve been quite close to him right throughout this period like a lot of other people have.
“I’ve watched what effect all this has taken on him and his family and I’ve been concerned for a long time.”
Even if he does not return as a player, there is a chance Paine could stay with Cricket Tasmania in some other role.