Tim Paine Takes the Helm as Coach for Australia A Team
Tim Paine's New Role in Australian Cricket
Cricket Australia has named former Test captain Tim Paine as the new coach for the Australia A team. Under the terms of his contract, Paine, who is currently the head coach of the Adelaide Strikers, will oversee Australia A for three series scheduled in the latter half of 2025. While fulfilling his responsibilities with the Strikers, he will also serve as a consultant for the Australia A Men's team and provide guidance to the Australia Women's team.
Paine's appointment follows the departure of Lachlan Stevens. Previously, Paine worked as an assistant coach under Stevens last season when Stevens was the national development coach for Cricket Australia. The two collaborated during the India A tour against Australia A last year, and Paine was the head coach for the Prime Minister's XI during their match against India in Canberra.
Currently, Paine is set to assist the newly appointed national bowling coach, Adam Griffith, with the men's team. For the women's squad, he will collaborate with assistant coach Scott Prestwidge and Northern Territory Cricket's Pathway and Development coach, Trent Keep.
Griffith has been tasked with traveling to the Caribbean as Australia's bowling coach for the first two Tests against the West Indies, stepping in for Daniel Vettori, who is unable to join the tour due to family obligations. After the Tests, Griffith will return to Australia for the A series, while former New Zealand pacer James Franklin will join the coaching staff for the third Test and the following five T20 matches, marking his debut with the team.
Upcoming Schedule for Tim Paine
Paine is set to travel with the Australia A team in July for a series of three 50-over matches and two four-day games in Darwin against Sri Lanka A. Following this, he will accompany the team on their tour to India in September and October for a series of both white and red ball matches.
Additionally, there will be a one-off four-day match against the England Lions scheduled for late October to early November.
In addition to Paine, uncontracted Queensland spinner Zanden Jeh has been included in the Australia A squad as the sole specialist spinner for the Sri Lanka series, as Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli are unavailable due to County commitments. Although Jeh has yet to play first-class cricket, he recently showcased his talent with a five-wicket haul in the second XI, highlighting the selectors' aim to cultivate more left-arm orthodox options.