Tim Paine ready for Test challenge, says Tasmanian Tigers coach

Australian wicketkeeper Tim Paine’s coach at Tasmanian Tigers reckons that the 25-year-old has what it takes to succeed in the longest version of cricket.  

Tim Coyle said that Paine is a crucial part of the Tasmanian Tigers’ team, and has been usually very effective batting at the traditional wicket-keepers spot of six or seven.

“He performed that role very well, often batting in difficult circumstances. Historically we’ve had some issues with our top-order batting and, particularly at Bellerive when the wicket became a bit more friendly for the bowler, he was often in at four for not many,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Coyle, as saying.

“He was often the bloke that held the tail-end together,” he added.

His comments come as Paine prepares for a possible Test debut in this week’s opening Test against Pakistan at Lord’s.

Coyle did not reject the suggestion that Paine was fortunate to have been selected despite a not so impressive wicketkeeping statistics, but said it was more important to focus on what the 25-year-old had done since then.

“I think that’ one of the great results of getting players into … national teams is that the first thing that will normally occur is a tremendous increase in their confidence level. Knowing they can perform at the highest level brings something else to their game … it’ a huge shot in the arm for him,” Coyle said.

“I think national selectors recognize the fact there’s still a lot of upside in him … and often players just improve by playing at that level,” he added.