‘To be given this opportunity, I’m obviously rapt’ – Tim Paine, fired up for his BBL coaching debut

Tim Paine, the former captain of the Test team, has been given the opportunity to restart his cricket career on more than one occasion. This time, instead of as a player like the previous several times, it has come in the shape of a head coach.

After serving as a member of the Hobart Hurricanes squad for 11 seasons (2012–2022) in the Big Bash League, Paine will now take on the role of head coach of the Adelaide Strikers, the 2017–18 champions.

Paine revealed that he continued to coach in the same manner as he had in his prime. The fact that Paine’s ultimate goal served as a constant source of motivation for him also gave him a boost.

“I don’t want to overshare my desires, but when I played, my goal was always to perform at the best possible level. I don’t know if I’ll be able to teach at the greatest level in leagues or shield cricket in the future, or even higher. My goal is to be the best coach I can be. “I’m obviously rapt to be given this opportunity,” Paine said, as cited by The West Australian.

Paine went on to say that he thought this was an exciting opportunity to put all the thoughts he had in his head into practice.

“Coaches I’ve played for would probably tell you that I have a lot of ideas.” Now, I believe they would chuckle a little, saying something like, “Good Painey, go out and show us if you can do it.” It’s going to be amazing to finally put some ideas I’ve had in my head for a while into practice. It’s going to be difficult,” Paine said.

Our squad is capable of competing and, ideally, winning it: Tim Paine

Paine expressed confidence in the Strikers’ ability to do well in the upcoming season, citing the addition of Ollie Pope as a pre-draft addition and the continued presence of Jamie Overton and Fabian Allen.

“I’m merely thrilled. We’ve assembled an extremely strong team with the desired skill sets. We are ready to play the kind of cricket we want to play. Paine continued, “We have a team that can compete and maybe win it.

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Paine is among the select few cricket players who has spent their entire BBL career playing for one team. In 44 games, he amassed 1129 runs and eight fifty-score innings.