Exiled former Australian Test skipper set to return to Big Bash League after foul-mouthed rant earned Hobart ‘keeper Matthew Wade a suspension
Former Test cricket skipper Tim Paine has been called-up into the Hobart Hurricane’s 15 man squad to play the Melbourne Renegades today after fellow wicketkeeper and teammate Matthew Wade was suspended.
Wade’s potty mouth has led to 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 served one suspension point after incurring three Level 1 Code of Conduct breaches within the past 18 months.
Wade walks off the field after been dismissed by Todd Murphy of the Sixers during the Men’s Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Hobart Hurricanes
Paine pictured with his wife Bonnie and children Milla and Charlie. The former Test skipper could be a late inclusion in today’s Big Bash League match against Melbourne
“The charges in that period relate to two instances of use of an audible obscenity and one instance of abuse of cricket equipment,” the statement said.
The suspension has opened the door for Paine to return to top-flight cricket for the first time since he resigned as Test skipper in 2021 after explicit messages to a female co-worker emerged.
Paine stood down from all cricket, but returned this summer with Hobart and Tasmania in a bid to finish his career on a high.
Paine has not played in the Big Bash League for the Hurricanes since February 4, 2018, when the franchise took on the Adelaide Strikers.
The wicketkeeper batsman has amassed 1119 runs from 43 games and a decision on whether he will officially replace Wade will be made close to the bat flip.
Wade also copped a one-match ban in 2014 for breaking a window in the changeroom after throwing a water bottle at an esky.
Tim Paine of Tasmania runs drinks during the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Tasmania at 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 turns 35 on Boxing Day, and he’s already been squeezed out of 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 picked Josh Inglis ahead of him for the next T20I series – against South Africa in August.
Wade has enjoyed a strong start to the BBL season, posting scores of 35, 51, and 15.
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