The Ashes start on December 8 and Tim Paine isn’t back keeping yet after surgery but has declared when he’ll be ready.
Test captain Tim Paine has his eyes on a second XI game for Tasmania as a major milestone in his Ashes preparation after finally batting again in his recovery from a serious neck operation.
Paine had surgery in September to repair a pinched nerve in his neck and has only just begun light training duties six weeks out from the opening Test against England at the Gabba on December 8.
The skipper started with light jogging and has progressed to facing balls from a bowling machine.
But he’s yet to get the all clear to resume wicketkeeping, which he hopes will come next week.
That could lead to a return to playing for Tassie in mid-November, and Paine is hoping to play at least one Sheffield Shield match to prove his Ashes readiness.
“I had a little bit of a hit on the bowling machine which was promising (on Thursday),” Paine said on Friday.
“Tuesday next week is pretty much the six-week mark (since surgery), where I can start to look up, which is obviously a key part of wicketkeeping.
“If I squat down, I need to be able to tilt my head up so I can see the ball coming.
“Hopefully, I’ll get the all clear on Tuesday and I can start wicketkeeping practice, albeit a pretty low intensity for a week or two.
“But I’m looking to hopefully play in a second XI game for Tasmania in mid-November and a Sheffield Shield game around the 20th or the 21st. That will give me a decent lead-in of two or three weeks of proper cricket before the first Test.”
Cricket Australia has scheduled two more Shield games for Tasmania, including a clash with South Australia starring November 10, but nothing is locked in after that.
Paine, 36, has not missed a Test since his recall to the Test side in 2017 after a seven-year absence, playing in 31-straight matches.
Australia’s Ashes preparation remains a mixed bag, with several Test stars, including Steve Smith and Pat Cummins at the T20 World Cup, while others, including spinner Nathan Lyon, are still waiting for a start to their domestic season.
Lyon and Test hopeful Marcus Harris will finally get on the field in a Sheffield Shield clash between NSW and Victoria next week.
Paine told SEN radio that he was “thrilled” to see fast bowler Jhye Richardson back in action for Western Australia after the shock retirement of James Pattinson this week, with the fast bowling ranks needing to be restocked.
“You’ve got Michael Neser who is always consistent … the other guy who has been really impressive is Mark Steketee, who took 10 wickets against South Australia,” he said.
“We feel like we have plenty of options with the ball if need be.”
Paine and Australia haven’t played a Test since the final match of the series against India in January.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
