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.
Here’s how fan’s reacted:
Boys will now be turned into men by sending adult messages 💪
— IPL (@WatchIPLvideos) June 20, 2025
Who’s referring him ??
There are plenty of great players who represented the aussie colors , this is awkward !— Amila Arachchige (@Im_amila) June 20, 2025
Have you ever heard the word Temporary Coach
— Ruturaj (Parody) (@Ruturajparody) June 20, 2025
that’s crazy how is he getting a job with CA after everything https://t.co/mHV8LMGTl1
— shabs 🇧🇩🏏 (@shadowbangla) June 20, 2025
wooahh so soon . or may be not soon enough https://t.co/Qn6AgDURNl
— VibeySeagull (@Vibeyseagull) June 20, 2025
just have him put his phone in locker box before sesh.🥱 https://t.co/q22Q5rzcl7
— Sneहाहाहा (@__Sn_e_ha__) June 20, 2025
Absolute disgrace
Paine was a D-grade cricketer with 0 achievement
Unjustly accended to captaincy and failed miserably
Caught in a scandal and said good bye to cricket for avoiding action against him
Now this
What kind of a backing or source does he have to get the honors? https://t.co/fC1gPlJ0G2
— Saad Arif (@saad_arif929) June 20, 2025
From temporary captain to temporary coach 🤔
— Chitta 🇮🇳 (@ChittaPattnaik) June 20, 2025
Part time captain or Full time water boy Tim Paine is now coach of Australia A 😎#TimPaine pic.twitter.com/CyAcCYaDvv
— Aman (@Amanriz78249871) June 20, 2025
Tim Paine with zero Test centuries is gonna be the coach?😆 Might teach the team how to master the art of getting out cheaply again n again. #TimPaine
— Ben Stokes Fan Club (@KaFavourite) June 20, 2025
#Fans #aggressively #troll #Tim #Paine #appointment #Australia #coach
