Fewer than two years after ending his professional career, former Australia captain Tim Paine has been named the new BBL head coach of Adelaide Strikers.
After Jason Gillespie decided to split his duties between the state and BBL, Paine, who worked as his assistant the previous season, would assume the post left by Gillespie’s exit. Ryan Harris was officially announced as South Australia’s new head coach last week.
Paine progressed quickly through the coaching program. In addition to working with the women’s squad and the Under-19 setup, he was Adam Voges’ assistant for Australia A last season. Currently, he is employed with NT Strike in the Top End T20 competition. In the past, he expressed interest in taking on the BBL position in the event that the two men’s coaching positions were split.
“I am honoured and excited by the opportunity to coach such a well-established and strongly supported club, and I can’t wait for the start of BBL|14 in December,” Paine stated.
“After spending time in Adelaide last year, I believe the Strikers team and the whole of South Australian cricket has huge potential and I’m looking forward to being part of taking it forward and winning a few trophies.”
Last season, the Strikers made a late surge, winning four straight games, to make it to the finals, where they faced off against the reigning champion Perth Scorchers in the Knockout before losing to Brisbane Heat in the Challenger.
On the eve of the 2021–22 Ashes, Paine tendered his resignation, bringing a tumultuous conclusion to his international career.
On September 1, he will have his first significant responsibility: supervising the BBL draft with Strikers captain Matt Short. The team will hold selections 5, 11, 20, and 29 and has not yet confirmed a pre-draft deal.
A fixture at Strikers for many years, Rashid Khan was supposed to make a comeback last season but was sidelined by injury. It is unknown at this time if he would submit a nomination this year, although he is scheduled to compete for MI Cape Town in the SA20, which happens to coincide with the BBL in January.
Chris Lynn, who previously departed the BBL early to play in the ILT20, has signed a new one-year contract and will be available for the full campaign, which will help the strikers.
Current Adelaide Strikers BBL squad: James Bazley, Jordan Buckingham, Cameron Boyce, Brendan Doggett, Chris Lynn, Lloyd Pope, Alex Ross, D’Arcy Short, Matt Short, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald
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