Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine has retired from home cricket, calling time on his profession at stumps in Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield match in opposition to Queensland at Bellerive Oval.
Paine, who skippered Australia in 23 Tests between early 2018 and 2021 and performed 35 Tests general, left the sphere to a guard of honour from gamers from each side.
He grew to become Australia’s forty sixth Test skipper when Steve Smith was stood down after the notorious ball-tampering scandal on Australia’s 2018 tour of South Africa.
The 38-year-old’s ultimate outing was a low-key affair, with the captains of Tasmania and Queensland agreeing to an early end at tea on day 4.
Queensland opener Bryce Street earlier hit an unbeaten 102 to assist his facet to 1-184 – nonetheless 248 runs from victory when the match was declared a draw.
Hobart-born Paine represented Tasmania over 18 years after debuting in 2005, taking part in 153 first-class matches.
“He has been a phenomenal player, it is an incredible effort to have the longevity that he has had,” Tasmania captain Jordan Silk stated.
“I’m sure a lot of guys will say there has never been as good a keeper as Tim Paine in Australia.
“Considering his age, the usual of protecting he has been in a position to preserve has been actually unbelievable.
“He sets a great example with his work ethic for all our guys.
“We have been extremely blessed down right here and we want him all the most effective in no matter he chooses going ahead.”
Paine, who made his Test debut against Pakistan at Lords in 2010, averaged 32.63 with a highest-score of 92 and made 157 dismissals behind the stumps.
He also played 35 one-day internationals.
He stepped down as Test captain in the lead-up to the 2021-22 Ashes series when explicit text messages he sent to a Cricket Tasmania employee in 2017 became public.
Paine was cleared of wrongdoing at the time by internal Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia.
He intended to continue playing against England on the comeback trail from injury before stepping away from the sport indefinitely amid heavy media scrutiny.
Despite not having a fulltime state contract, Paine trained with Tasmania’s top squad in the lead-up to the summer and earned a Sheffield Shield recall for their season opener against Queensland.
He played seven matches for the season as well as figuring in Big Bash League game for his hometown Hobart Hurricanes.
Paine has previously flagged a shift into coaching post-playing.
TIM PAINE’S TEST CAREER
Matches: 35
Runs: 1534
Highest rating: 92
Average: 32.63
Catches, stumpings: 150, 7
Captaincy report: 11 wins, eight losses, 4 attracts
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
