I’ve been super impressed by the batting prowess of 32-year-old Tim Paine opening the innings for Hobart in the BBL so far. Impressed in a most nostalgic way – once a favourite of mine, I’d almost forgotten of Paine’s raw ability, mainly due to him missing so much cricket for a wrath of reasons.
It caused me to wonder whether or not we will see him in Australian colours again; the Tasmanian has not played Test cricket since 2010, or limited-overs internationals since 2011.
Seeing him clock up over 200 runs from just four BBL matches has been most impressive, and his form back in October for the Matador Cup was solid without being outstanding.
While Paine’s efforts at Test level were far from disgraced all those years ago – notching two fifties from just four matches – the thought of him playing more Test cricket in the future is very much a long shot.
Particularly because he is not currently playing first-class cricket for his state, with the Tigers opting for a vision into the future with Jake Doran. That said, I think the selectors would be silly to not have his name in the discussion for limited-overs cricket.
Like many, Matthew Wade’s re-entry into the Test side has hardly filled me with confidence. For someone brought back into the team to bolster the batting unit, perhaps a score above 30 would suffice occasionally.
Personally, my obvious choices to take the gloves in India and beyond, are either Sam Whiteman or Peter Nevill.
Whiteman has tremendous upsides and adds plenty with the bat, while Nevill would be hard-done-by to be thrown on the scrapheap permanently, especially after several gritty innings at important times, and with the tidy, competent glove-work we simply cannot come to expect from Wade.
If Paine can continue his most impressive start to BBL06, his name must surely be brought into contention.
At 32, Paine still has a few years of good, top-level cricket in him remaining, and I think his selection in limited-overs cricket for Australia would be an astute move.
In 26 ODI matches for Australia between 2009-11, Paine managed 737 runs with five half-centuries and one century included in there.
He would still be an excellent fit for the national One-Day or T20 line-ups, and despite being a man who will certainly remain as a player largely unfulfilled, the door is still slightly open for the classy keeper/batsman.
Matth
Guest
With the T20's clashing with the test tour of India, Paine, Nevill or White,an will definitely get a go, since it appears Wade,is a guaranteed starter to India. In fact that T20 team will be interesting, with no Warner. Smith, Starc or Hazlewood. FInch Maxwell Lynn Bailey Maddinson Paine M Marsh Cummins Stanlake Cutting? Zampa
AJ Mithen
Expert
100% James P. Paine's career was effectively destroyed by a completely unnecessary 2020 game.
AREH
Roar Guru
That's pretty reasonable actually haha...I probably shouldn't have put that paragraph there
Lancey5times
Roar Rookie
Sorry mate, When the mention was made of India and beyond I took it as a test thing
AREH
Roar Guru
If you read the whole article Lancey, I'm advocating for his selection for Australia in short-form, and even mention that any chance of him playing more test cricket is unlikely. I do not see Paine as a keeping option in the test team.
jonty smith
Roar Guru
He's done well in matador cup in the last couple of years. He's name should surely be in contention for the odis against pakistan. If e doesn't make it, he should almost certainly make into the t20Is against sri lanka. As a massive fan of paine, I'd love to see him in national colours again
James P
Guest
Unfortunately Paine never really recovered from the injury in the pointless charity "Allstars" match in November 2010. He lost a couple of years out of his career due to the need to have multiple surgeries. There is a reason that they don't do those matches any more http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/578041.html is a good summary
Lancey5times
Roar Rookie
The fact that the following line made your article is frightening. If this is what test cricket selection is becoming than we are in trouble. 'If Paine can continue his most impressive start to BBL06, his name must surely be brought into contention'
Swampy
Guest
He'll survive cranking out runs in the various T20 leagues. He's still a top notch keeper but at first class level he just has never found any consistency whatsoever with the bat. He wasn't even offered a contract with Tassie this Shield season.