Just a day after one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket, Tim Paine is set to play his first competitive match in eight months.
Paine has not played since a Sheffield Shield game for Tasmania earlier this year, and had surgery in September to fix a bulging disc in his neck.
He resigned yesterday as Australian’s Test captain amid a sexting scandal that has rocked the sport.
However, his club side 'University' is scheduled to play on Saturday, with the team’s high-performance manager Ben Harrison confirming to the Herald Sun that Paine would play once a wet centre wicket had been rectified.
“He’s here and he will definitely play when we get underway,” Harrison said on Saturday morning.
“Tim is the best wicketkeeper in Australia so it will be good to see him back playing again.”
“His impact on the development of players, whether they be batters, wicketkeepers or bowlers has been enormous.
“Tim doesn’t always take the glove for us. He’s in the field a lot of the time as well.
“The work that he does with them out on the field just adds another layer to the coaching program and adds such a great support to all of the coaches throughout the club.”
Australian chairman of selectors George Bailey reportedly spent time with Paine while he waited for play to begin.
Bailey did not offer a comment to media upon leaving Queenborough Oval.
There are currently scattered showers over Hobart but it's believed play may be possible later this afternoon.
Saturday’s match was part of Paine’s return to full fitness ahead of the Ashes, and despite losing the captaincy, he is still able to be selected.