Exiled former Australian Test skipper Tim Paine returns for his first Big Bash League game in FIVE years as he helps Hobart end the Renegades’ winning run after Matthew Wade’s foul-mouthed rant led to on suspension.
Former Test cricket skipper Tim Paine made his first Big Bash League appearance for five years on Christmas Eve, and made a winning comeback to help Hobart beat the Melbourne Renegades.
Matthew Wade’s potty mouth behind the stumps has resulted in the veteran receiving a one-match suspension, ruling him out of Hobart’s BBL clash with Renegades at 3pm AEDT today.
Cricket Australia released a statement on Saturday saying Wade had been handed a one-point suspension after incurring three Level 1 Code of Conduct breaches within the past 18 months.
Tim Paine won the BBL after replacing Matthew Wade on Christmas Eve
Wade walks off the field after being dismissed by Sixers’ Todd Murphy during the Men’s Big Bash League match between Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes
Paine is pictured with his wife Bonnie and children Milla and Charlie. The former Test skipper was hit by a sexting scandal that ended his tenure as captain
‘The charges at the time relate to two instances of using an audible obscenity and one instance of abusing cricket equipment,’ the statement said.
The suspension opens the door for Paine to return to top-flight cricket for the first time since he stepped down as Test skipper in 2021 after explicit messages to a female colleague emerged.
Paine stood down from all cricket, but returned this summer with Hobart and Tasmania in a bid to end his career on a high.
Paine has not played in the Big Bash League for the Hurricanes since 4 February 2018, when the franchise acquired the Adelaide Strikers.
The wicketkeeper made a paltry 10 runs but his lack of runs with the bat did not prevent Hobart from winning, taking the game with an eight-run victory.
Wade also served a one-match ban in 2014 for breaking a changeroom window after throwing a water bottle at an esky.
Tasmania’s Tim Paine runs drinks during the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Tasmania at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
The news of Wade’s latest suspension comes just two days after the star veteran opened up about his future prospects in Australia’s international set-up.
Wade will be 35 on Boxing Day, and has been stuck in the Test and ODI sides.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has been an integral part of the T20 side, but said he would understand if coach Andrew McDonald and selector George Bailey chose Josh Inglis ahead of him for the next T20I series – against South Africa in August.
Wade enjoyed a strong start to the BBL season, posting scores of 35, 51, and 15.
Advertisement
