Tasmania's Tim Paine in action for the Hurricanes in his innings of 74 off 57 balls in Tuesday night's Big Bash League win against the Perth Scorchers at Bellerive. Picture: GETTY IMAGES
COMEBACK kid Tim Paine says he'll be ready if he's rotated into Australia's one-day squad after finally rediscovering the touch that made him Brad Haddin's heir apparent.
The former Test gloveman made his highest score since breaking his right index finger more than two years ago when he cracked an impressive 74 not out from 57 balls on Tuesday night for the Hobart Hurricanes.
Many wondered whether the 28-year-old, who lost the best part of two seasons and needed no fewer than six operations, could return to the level that saw him playing four Tests and 26 one-day internationals for Australia.
He has struggled for much of 2012-13 with a highest score of 40 in five Sheffield Shield matches and an average of 20 in domestic one-dayers.
A blow to the head from a fired-up Mitchell Johnson during a Shield match at Bellerive had added to the pain of an excruciating comeback.
Paine has slowly turned his form around in the Big Bash League and his timing couldn't be better as speculation mounts Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade will be rested for some of the ODI series against Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
"It would be nice if I get an opportunity ... I'm not too fussed," Paine said yesterday.
"I think if I get another chance ... what's happened in the past is all out the window.
"It's a fresh start so that would be something that I'd certainly be looking forward to."
Selectors indicated Paine remained in their plans when they picked him in the Australia A side that played the touring South Africans in November.
He responded with an unbeaten 60 and said he was confident he could push again for Australian selection.
"When that will be I'm not too sure," he said.
"Once I'm really up and firing, I think my wicketkeeping will stand out against some other guys that I'm up against.
"It's just a matter of getting runs on the board and I think (Tuesday night) was a good start."