Border-Gavaskar Trophy: This ex-Australia captain will lead them in practice game against India

Former captain Tim Paine is set to coach the Australian Prime Minister’s XI for a two-day practice game that will be played with the pink ball later this month.

Paine, 39, was Australia’s skipper during India’s last two tours Down Under, where the visitors notched consecutive 2-1 series wins.

Paine represented the Baggy Greens in 35 Tests, 35 ODIs, and 12 T20Is, but he played his last Test at Brisbane in the final match of the 2020-21 series where the hosts faced a three-wicket loss.

He last played a first-class game in March 2023 for Tasmania and has been a part of the Adelaide Strikers coaching staff in the Big Bash League (BBL).

“He’s been nearly the best player in the world, particularly as an opening batter.
“He doesn’t look like he’s lost reflex, his eyes are good and he’s batting as well as he’s ever batted.”

Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine thinks Usman Khawaja isn’t close to retiring. ???? pic.twitter.com/wZJbCpUman

— SEN Tassie (@SENTassie) November 9, 2024

“I think for a young coach like myself, any chance that you get to lead a team is a great opportunity, so I am looking forward to that,” Paine was quoted as saying by Cricket ACT.

“I’m looking forward to working with some of our most talented young cricketers around Australia as well so, it will be good fun,” he added.

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India will play five Tests on this tour for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the two-day tour match will be a training exercise for the pink-ball Test, the second game in the itinerary, to be played at Adelaide from December 6-10.

Tim Paine working with Nathan McSweeney this morning in the MCG nets ahead of the second Australia A v India A match. pic.twitter.com/rkYKBo1yUR

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) November 5, 2024

The opening Test will get underway on November 22 at Perth.

“Hopefully, they (India) will approach it with some of their best players, and they have got some of the best players in the world.

“They had a tough time when they played against the pink ball in the Adelaide Test (2020-21) so hopefully for the game’s sake and Canberra cricket fans’ sake, that we get to see some of the best players in the world like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, some of their best players will be on display.”

(With Reuters inputs)