Article By Dan Stapleton
9 years since Tim Paine smashed his finger so badly after a T20 at the Gabba when Paine was opening the batting for the all stars team against an Australian side that included left arm fast bowler Dirk Nannes.
Paine was out for 2 years after that match despite playing a few T20s for Tasmania soon after and Paine had gone from 6 months earlier making his test debut at Lords in a test match against Pakistan.
Paine was in a very bad state mentally at that time after the finger break he became very frustrated at a young age of 25 he required finger surgery and 8 operations none of which were successful then he had another operation on his hip which required taking part of his hip and putting it into his finger.
Having known Paine for years personally his attitude to never give up and get back to play for Australia as so famously did in 2017 was no easy task. The well documented story about Dan Marsh the coach who almost cost Tims career to his close friendship with former Hurricanes coach and Tasmania coach Damien Wright is extraordinary.
People like myself who had a few times of questions at Tasmania Cricket admin, Justin Langer, Darren Lehmann and Ricky Ponting as coaches and mates of Paines helped rescue his test career.
Paine is one if the few Australian cricketers to captain Australia as a ODI, Test Cricket wicket keeper and the amazing story of never giving up is truely one of the man who is very determined. He looks young in the face but Tims toughness is best described by Ponting and Langer who both call him “ the toughest pretty boy they know”
Paine still playing 9 years later is remarkable considering the toll his body has taken but he’s incredibly fit and speeds hours in the gym and looks fitter than almost anyone cricket has ever seen.
This week we had to Brisbane to see more of Tim Paines Australian team in action full coverage vas the extraordinary career of Painey continues.
