Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine is officially back in national cricket—but this time, not as a player. Cricket Australia has appointed Paine as head coach of the Australia A men’s team for their upcoming home series against Sri Lanka A starting 4 July 2025 in Darwin. This marks a big return for Paine, whose cricket career took a major hit following a controversial scandal in 2021.
A Look Back: The 2017 Scandal That Changed Everything
Tim Paine was once seen as the face of Australia’s cricket revival, especially after the 2018 “Sandpaper Gate” ball-tampering scandal. He took over the captaincy with hopes of restoring the team’s image. But in 2017, before becoming captain, Paine sent explicit messages and private photos to a female staff member at Cricket Tasmania.
These chats became public in 2021, just ahead of the Ashes series. The incident created a storm in the media and forced Paine to step down as Test captain in November 2021. He admitted his mistake and offered a public apology.
Though a legal investigation cleared him of harassment charges, the scandal strained his marriage with Bonnie Paine, brought an end to his international career, and eventually led to his retirement from first-class cricket in March 2023.
A New Chapter: Head Coach of Australia A
Despite his past controversies, Paine has remained connected to the game. Over the past two years, he worked behind the scenes with national programs in coaching and support roles. Now, Cricket Australia has given him a key responsibility—to guide and mentor emerging talent as the head coach of Australia A.
He will work alongside:
- Adam Griffith – National Fast Bowling Coach
- Scott Prestwidge – Assistant Coach, Australian Women’s Team
- Trent Copeland – Northern Territory Cricket Development Coach
Ben Oliver, Executive General Manager of National Teams, said Paine brings a wealth of knowledge and calm leadership to the table. He added that Paine’s playing and coaching experience will help shape future Australian cricketers.
Paine’s Coaching Contributions So Far
In recent years, Paine has been quietly involved in various national assignments:
- Assisted the Australian Women’s Team as a mentor
- Worked with the Australia A program in a support capacity
- Coached Prime Minister’s XI in their 2023 match against India
These experiences helped rebuild his professional reputation in Australian cricket circles.
Spotlight on the Sri Lanka A Series
Australia A’s series against Sri Lanka A will be a multi-format competition, featuring both red-ball and white-ball matches. The selected squad includes exciting young talents like:
- Sam Elliott
- Jason Sangha
- Matt Renshaw
- Jake Weatherald
- Billy Stanlake
- Josh Philippe
- Curtis Patterson
The team also includes Zedem Jeh, a left-arm spinner who impressed selectors with a five-wicket haul in a second XI game. Jeh also performed well in Premier Cricket, taking 27 wickets and scoring 465 runs for South Brisbane.
Can Paine’s Redemption Inspire Young Cricketers?
Paine’s return as a coach could be a story of redemption. While the scandal remains a dark chapter in his life, his commitment to coaching shows a shift toward rebuilding not just his career, but helping others grow in the sport.
Paine now balances his professional duties with family life, often spotted with his wife Bonnie Paine at cricket events. Interestingly, Bonnie once made headlines for appearing in a cheerful photo with Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, showing how cricket connections transcend rivalries.
Learning from the Past
Cricket Australia has had its share of controversies, with Sandpaper Gate shaking public trust in 2018. Paine was brought in to clean the image, but his misstep cost him dearly. Now, his second innings—as a coach—offers a chance to move forward.
This appointment also reflects Cricket Australia’s changing approach—supporting rehabilitation of former players with potential, rather than cutting ties completely. As Australia A prepares to face Sri Lanka A, all eyes will once again be on Tim Paine—but this time, from the coach’s corner.
