Tim Paine announced as head coach for Prime Minister’s XI against India

Cricket Australia (CA) have announced the coaching staff of the Prime Minister’s XI which will take on India in a tour match at the Manuka Oval, Canberra, from November 30. Former Australia skipper Tim Paine was announced as the head coach of PM’s XI. The coaching staff of Cricket ACT, Erin Osborne and Jason McNally, will also be a part of the coaching set-up ahead of the India clash.

 It is worth noting that Paine led Australia’s Test team from 2018-2021, becoming the 46th skipper of the team. He took over when Australian cricket was going through a tough phase as veteran batter Steve Smith and David Warner faced a ban for their involvement in the Sandpapergate. 

Meanwhile, talking about his coaching role, Paine highlighted how brilliant of an opportunity this could be. “I think for a young coach like myself, any chance that you get to lead a team is a great opportunity, so I am looking forward to that. I’m looking forward to working with some of our most talented young cricketers around Australia as well so, it will be good fun,” Paine was quoted as saying by Cricket ACT.  

As for the other members in the coaching staff, Osborne is the current coach of the ACT Meteors, and Paine will hope that he will be able to use his expertise and experience to the fullest.

Osborne also spoke about his upcoming assignment with Paine: “I’m looking forward to picking his brain and learning as much as I can from him.“I’m super excited, I haven’t had a whole heap of experience working in the male space; I did a year here with the Comets and I really enjoyed that.”