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Hobart Hurricanes captain Matthew Wade has been handed a one-game suspension from the Big Bash League, opening up the door for former Australian Test skipper Tim Paine to play his first BBL game in almost five years.
In a statement released by the Tasmanian team, Wade “incurred one suspension point after incurring three Level 1 Code of Conduct breaches within 18 months”.
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The charges in that space of time relate to “two instances of an audible obscenity” as well as “one instance of abuse of cricket equipment”.
Wade therefore will miss the Hurricanes’ clash against the Melbourne Renegades today at Blundstone Arena in Hobart.
The Hurricanes gloveman recently came under fire for yelling “bowled” just before Perth Scorchers star Faf du Plessis was able to play a shot, resulting in the South African losing his wicket.
Du Plessis looked visibly angry at Wade, as the latter ran off to celebrate with his teammates after the wicket.
However, the Hurricanes confirmed Paine would replace Wade in the 15, before announcing later that the former Australian skipper would be in the starting team for the clash against the Renegades.
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Paine’s last match in the Hurricanes’ famous purple shirt came on February 4 in 2018 when Hobart took on the Adelaide Strikers. The wicketkeeper announced his resignation as Australia’s Test cricket captain in 2021 after a sexting scandal involving a co-worker.
In his time with the Hurricanes, Paine has amassed 1119 runs from 43 games and will now have the chance to add even more to the total when he makes his 44th appearance against the Renegades this afternoon.
Speaking on Fox Cricket’s broadcast, fellow former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin believed Paine’s presence behind the stumps will be a welcome one not just for his teammates, but for the crowd in Hobart.
“We know he’s made his name in Test cricket and led Australia beautifully, but he loves playing on the big occasion down here at his home ground,” Haddin said.
“He’ll be excited, he’ll bring a lot of experience and tidiness behind the stumps.
“But look at him to play a bigger role than you’d expect with the bat.”