SYDNEY, Oct 13, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Australian Test skipper Tim Paine has
ended a 13-year drought, scoring his first century since 2006 on his return
to domestic Sheffield Shield cricket after a gruelling Ashes series in
England.
The Tasmanian last reached three figures as a 21-year-old when he scored
his maiden first-class ton — also against Western Australia.
Paine’s innings ended on 121 in Perth on Saturday when he mishit a pull
shot off WA quick Jhye Richardson and was caught at mid-wicket.
His timely knock coincided with Australian coach Justin Langer praising
Paine’s work in charge of the national team.
“The beautiful thing about Tim Paine is that he knows he can get better,”
Langer told broadcaster ABC.
“He can keep getting better, he will keep learning, and with his youthful
enthusiasm, even as a senior player, he’s got lots of areas he can improve —
that’s heartening for him and that’s heartening for us.
“But for the moment, he’s definitely doing a great job.”
Other standout performances during the opening round of the Shield season
included David Warner’s sparkling 125 for New South Wales against Queensland
after a miserable Ashes series where he struggled to reach double figures.
Test opener Marcus Harris also smacked a century for Victoria, as did young
prospect Will Pucovski, who has been tipped as a potential middle-order
batsman for Australia in the first Test against Pakistan on November 21.