Melbourne
Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has been appointed as head coach of the Prime Minister’s XI for their upcoming match against India, set for Nov 30 at Manuka Oval in Canberra. This marks Paine’s first major coaching role since his retirement as a player.
Cricket Australia confirmed the appointment on its official ‘X’ platform, noting that Paine would be joined by assistant coaches Erin Osborne, a former Australian all-rounder, and local coach Justin McNally. The coaching team brings a mix of international and local expertise, creating a strong foundation to guide the Prime Minister’s XI in the much-anticipated fixture.
Paine, who captained Australia from 2018 to 2021, led the national team through a challenging period following the ball-tampering scandal, earning respect for his efforts to restore the team’s integrity. Now stepping into a coaching role, Paine expressed his enthusiasm: “For a young coach like myself, any chance to lead a team is a great opportunity. It will be good fun,” he said to Cricket ACT.
This match will serve as valuable preparation for India, as they look to bounce back from a recent 3-0 series loss to New Zealand, just ahead of their second Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on December 6. For the Prime Minister’s XI, Paine’s leadership will provide an opportunity to showcase promising local talent against a strong Indian side, setting the stage for an exciting encounter.
