Fate’s fickle finger fixes Tiger Tim’s pain
CRICKET: Shock Ashes selection Tim Paine is ready to carve out the international career he appeared destined for before a crippling finger injury pushed him to the point of retirement.
Two weeks after being overlooked for Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield team, Paine yesterday was confirmed as the bolter in Australia’s 13-man squad for the first two Tests against England, the first which starts at the Gabba next Thursday.
He replaces state teammate Matthew Wade, who was axed for a lack of runs, while Peter Nevill was overlooked after failing to impress with the bat in the first three Shield games.
It completes a remarkable journey which seven years ago had Paine touted as a future Test captain before a broken finger in an ACA All-Stars match – and seven subsequent surgeries – had him on the brink of quitting.
Continually overlooked for the Tigers at the beginning of 2016-17, Paine’s papers appeared stamped and he was on the verge of accepting a job with Kookaburra in Melbourne at the end of last season.
However, he was recalled to the Australian Twenty20 side at the end of the summer after consistent form in the BBL, before being told he was required by new Tasmanian coach Adam Griffith.
A solid half-century against England for the Chairman’s XI last week in Adelaide put the 32-year-old back in the selection frame as a dark horse, before he sealed his spot with an unbeaten second innings 71 against Victoria on Wednesday on his recall to the Shield side.
“It has been a hard road to get back here and I’m extremely proud about the way I have gone about things in the last five or six years,” Paine said. “I have always stated I feel my wicket-keeping is as good as anyone, and it seems that is the way they [the selectors] have gone.”