Former Australia skipper Tim Paine ‘up for selection’ in Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland

Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine hasn't played any form of cricket since April 2021 due to his involvement in a sexting scandal with an ex-colleague.

Former Australia skipper Tim Paine could well make a return to first-class cricket in Tasmania’s opening Sheffield Shield game against Queensland to start on Thursday, October 6 at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.

The 37-year-old hasn’t played any form of cricket since April 2021 due to his involvement in a sexting scandal with an ex-colleague. He was named as Australia’s skipper for the previous edition of the Ashes, but stepped down after the controversial occurrence.

Thereafter, Pat Cummins took charge of the Test team in the five-match series against Joe Root’s England that Australia won 4-0.

Paine won’t be playing in Tasmania’s first match of the summer against South Australia, but new coach Jeff Vaughan said that the veteran has every chance of returning next week.

“That one sort of popped up from nowhere to be honest. He came and spoke to the CEO and myself one day and said he‘d like to come back and he’s certainly going to play cricket for University,” Vaughan was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo.

“So he’s been training with us most sessions the last five or six weeks. Physically, (he’s) going well, emotionally going well. I’m sure everyone would agree that we trust his wicket-keeping skill set, his leadership skill set, so he’s up for selection,” he stated.