Ricky Ponting hints at Tim Paine's BBL return

Paine last played for Hurricanes in BBL 07 [PC: Twitter]

Hobart Hurricanes’ new head of strategy Ricky Ponting is eager to get the services of Tim Paine in the upcoming edition of the Big Bash League (BBL).

Ponting was appointed the head of strategy by the club in June this year. Since donning the role, he has been involved in the recruitment process of the Hurricanes. He made his first big appointment by bringing in Australia’s former men’s assistant coach Jeff Vaughan as the domestic side’s head coach.

The ex-Australian skipper has already expressed his desire to have more Tasmanians in association with the Hobart-based club.

The 37-year-old Paine walked away from the game in the lead-up to the 2021 Ashes series against England when a sexting scandal dating back to late 2017 became public.

Some 18 months after his last first-class appearance, Paine will take the field for the University of Tasmania against New Town at Kingston on Sunday in a premier league 50-over game.

Hobart Hurricanes have one spot left in their squad for the upcoming season and Ponting openly stated his desire for Paine to again turn out for the BBL franchise.

Ponting said he is open to welcoming fellow Tasmanian- Tim Paine back into the mix as he perfectly fits into the mould. 

'What I'd like to achieve with the (Hobart) Hurricanes would be to bring as many great Tasmanian people back around the franchise as possible. I think Tim Paine fits perfectly into that mould. 

So if he's ever ready to walk back with the purple shirt on, I'm sure lots of Tasmanians would like to see him involved," Ricky Ponting said at the time.

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