Paine desperate to earn top keeping spot

With no fewer than five wicketkeepers gunning for one spot at Tasmania this summer, a rejuvenated Tim Paine believes he has what it takes to reaffirm his status as the state’s top gloveman.

Paine has struggled with injury and form issues in recent seasons, having scaled the heights of Test cricket between July and October 2010.

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At that point, he was considered the man most likely to replace Brad Haddin in all formats long-term, with those in the know praising both his glovework and his efficient top-order batting technique.

But a series of finger injuries began the downward spiral, and last season was the nadir of his career with the bat; in 14 Sheffield Shield innings, he failed to pass 50 and averaged 17.

“It (this season) is huge for me, probably career defining I think,” Paine told the Hobart Mercury. “Last year was as disappointed as I’ve ever been with the way I played my cricket.

“I can’t wait (for this summer). We have some good young cricketers, and good young wicketkeepers, so it is also keeping me on my toes, keeping me fresh and I suppose me helping them has almost helped my game as well.”

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Paine, 30, and Ben Dunk, 28, are the senior wicketkeeping figures in the squad, with 24-year-old local junior Tom Triffitt and young guns Jake Doran (18) and Ben McDermott (20) also looking to stake their claims on the Apple Isle after leaving New South Wales and Queensland respectively.

The crop of keepers means Paine, who has been named Hobart Hurricanes captain ahead of BBL|05, can’t afford to rest on his laurels – something he admitted he’s been guilty of in seasons past.

“I have probably been gifted that position in the last 12 months when at times I probably didn’t deserve it,” Paine added.

“I don’t think I am (locked in for Shield duties), certainly in one-day cricket I think I will be and then it is up to me.

“I know if I do start in Shield cricket, one, I would have deserved it and two, I will be ready to go.”

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Paine made 39 in Tasmania’s nine-wicket win over Queensland at North Sydney Oval on Monday, but was outshone by Dunk, who made an unbeaten 104.

The right-hander believes an off-season stint with Banbury in England’s lower leagues, during which he scored 952 runs at 79.3 in 16 games, has him refreshed ahead of another long summer with Tasmania.

“I’ve been in the system since I was 16,” he said. “To (go) somewhere where I’ve had no coaching almost, I had to go back to basics and work things out myself.

“I think over the years I’ve been spoiled in terms of coaching and facilities, and probably took my eye off the ball a little bit.

“To get over there and work really hard by myself in a different environment has really worked for me.

“I’ve come back feeling really good, I feel on top of my game and in complete control again.”