Paine return on cards as ex-skipper resumes training

Injured Tasmanian speedster Riley Meredith is hopeful Tim Paine will be able to front up for the Tigers this summer after it was confirmed the former Test captain had returned to training in recent weeks.

Meredith, who is recovering from a hamstring tendon injury that ruled him out of England's Hundred competition, said it had been a huge boost having Paine back around squad.

"It's really good to see him back around the group. He's a great guy and everyone really likes him around the group, he brings great energy," the quick told cricket.com.au at a BBL|12 Draft launch event on Monday.

"It's just really good to see him enjoying that training and playing with a smile on his face, and hopefully he can front up for us this year and I'm sure he'll do really well.

"I saw him in the nets the other day – he's working on some funky new shots.

"There's not too much rust there, he looks in decent touch, as well as a 37-year-old can."

Cricket Tasmania has confirmed the former Test wicketkeeper is training with the men's state squad as an uncontracted player ahead of a possible return to the field for the first time since November 2021.

The 37-year-old took time away from the game after standing down as Test skipper before last summer's Ashes when details of a sexting scandal were made public.

His last match was a state second XI fixture in late November but he returned to the Tasmanian cricket fold in an unofficial coaching role late last season.

Paine never retired but was not contracted on Tasmania's playing roster for 2022-23 season. He was also left off Cricket Australia's central contracts list.

Tasmania begin their season with a Marsh One-Day Cup match against South Australia on September 28, but Paine is first aiming to return in club cricket.

"We can confirm that Tim has returned to training with the aim at this stage to play in the CTPL (Cricket Tasmania Premier League) this season," a Cricket Tasmania spokesperson said.

The CTPL, Tasmania's grade competition, starts in early October and Paine has a long association with the University of Tasmania since joining the club as a teenager.

Paine has another ally in fellow Tasmanian and ex-Test skipper Ricky Ponting who recently took over as Hobart Hurricanes head of strategy.

The Hurricanes still have at least five domestic list spots to fill for KFC BBL|12, and although Paine last played in the competition in February 2018, he boasts an impressive Big Bash record with 1,119 runs at 27.98 in 43 matches.

"What I'd like to be able to achieve with the Hurricanes is to bring as many great Tasmanian people back around the franchise as possible and Tim Paine fits perfectly into that mould," Ponting said following his appointment.

"If he's ever ready to walk back in and put another purple shirt on, I'm sure lots of Tasmania would love to see him involved."

The Hurricanes hold the eighth pick in Sunday's inaugural BBL Draft with Meredith hinting they might be eyeing an allrounder with their selections and a 'finisher' to partner Tim David.

- with AAP

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