Tim Paine Named as Head Coach of Adelaide Strikers Ahead of BBL 14

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Former Australia captain Tim Paine set for his first stint as head coach after being named as replacement for Jason Gillespie at the Adelaide Strikers ahead of the upcoming Big Bash League - BBL 14.

Paine served as an assistant to Gillespie last season in BBL and will replace the former Australian pacer, who took over the red ball head coach role of the Pakistan men's national side earlier this year.

The 39-year-old called time on his decorated playing career in 2022, and took on coaching within two years of ending his playing career, playing a role in Adelaide Strikers run to the final stages of BBL 13.

"I am honoured and excited by the opportunity to coach such a well-established and strongly supported club, and I can't wait for the start of BBL 14 in December," Paine was quoted as saying in Adelaide Strikers release.

"After spending time in Adelaide last year I believe the Strikers team and the whole of South Australian cricket has huge potential and I'm looking forward to being part of taking it forward and winning a few trophies.

"Having been on the losing side when the Strikers defeated Hobart Hurricanes to claim their first title win in BBL 07, I can vouch for the fantastic atmosphere created by the fans at Adelaide Oval.

"And the backing the boys received last season was a large factor in the success we experienced in the second half of BBL 13, so we're working hard to build on that momentum in the coming summer. I believe we have an immensely talented and versatile squad which we will finalise over the next few weeks."

Paine had represented Australia in 35 Tests (23 as captain) and also played 35 ODIs as well as 12 T20Is in a 17-year senior career that included 62 T20 games for the Hurricanes and Tasmania in which he scored 1449 runs at a rate of 125.7 and completed 50 dismissals behind the stumps.

The 39-year-old, who is currently in Darwin as assistant coach of NT Strike in the Top End T20 Series, has also served as Adam Voges' deputy in the 2023 Australia A series against New Zealand and as a mentor to the national under-19s program.

Unlike Gillespie, who served a dual role for South Australia men's team and Adelaide Strikers, Paine will only be in charge of the BBL team, while Ryan Harris will be the head coach of the first-class team.

Paine will be assisted by two-time WBBL title-winning coach Luke Williams who has also overseen success in India's Women's Premier League (WPL) with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.