• Fans trolled Tim Paine with salty remarks on social media by recalling the infamous scandal that ended his playing career.

  • Recently, Paine has been appointed as the new head coach of Australia A.

Fans aggressively troll Tim Paine after his appointment as the new Australia A coach
Fans aggressively troll Tim Paine after his appointment as the new Australia A coach (Image source: X)

Tim Paine’s journey in Australia cricket has taken another intriguing turn. The former Test captain, who once led his country through turbulent times, has now been appointed as the head coach of the Australia A team for a busy slate of series in 2025. While this marks a significant step in his coaching career, fans on social media have wasted no time in poking fun at Paine, mischievously recalling the controversy that abruptly ended his playing days.

Tim Paine’s new role as the head coach of the Australia A

Paine’s appointment as Australia A coach is a testament to his resilience and growing reputation in the coaching ranks. After his stint as head coach of the Adelaide Strikers, Paine has been entrusted with leading Australia A in three 50-over matches and two four-day games against Sri Lanka A in Darwin this July. His responsibilities further extend to a white and red-ball tour of India in September and October, as well as a one-off four-day match against the England Lions later in the year.

Paine’s coaching credentials have been steadily building. He previously served as an assistant coach under Adam Voges during the Australia A series against New Zealand in 2023 and worked with Lachlan Stevens for the Australia A vs India A series. Paine also led the Prime Minister’s XI against India in Canberra. Now, with Stevens having left his role, Paine steps up to lead the Australia A squad, supported by a team of experienced coaches including Adam Griffith and Scott Prestwidge.

This new chapter sees Paine juggling duties with the Strikers while also supporting the Australia women’s team, highlighting his versatility and commitment to Australian cricket’s development pipeline.

Fans recall the old texting saga of Paine

Despite his coaching achievements, Paine’s name still evokes memories of the scandal that ended his international career. In late 2021, Paine resigned as Australia’s Test captain after it emerged that he had sent explicit messages to a Cricket Tasmania colleague in 2017. The incident, which was investigated and initially cleared by Cricket Australia, resurfaced just before the Ashes, forcing Paine to step down and subsequently take an indefinite break from cricket.

The controversy, often dubbed the “sexting scandal,” overshadowed his otherwise steady leadership and left a lasting mark on his public image. Fans, ever quick with a meme or a quip, have mischievously trolled Paine on social media following his Australia A appointment.

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Here’s how fan’s reacted:

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About the Author:
Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.