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In-stadium commentary at Mt SmartNightclub at 6am: Worst spray Tim Paine ever copped
Luke Mathews • May 3rd, 2025 11:07 am
Tim Paine has opened up on the biggest spray he received throughout his playing career.
While he played under several big cricketing names, it was a bake from Tasmanian coach Tim Coyle during his time as a state cricketer for the Tigers that was the fiercest.
Paine debuted for Tasmania at First Class level in 2005, the same year Coyle began his eight-year stint as coach of Tasmania, and there was one interaction that left a lasting impression on the wicketkeeper.
“Travis Birt, Rhett Lockyer and myself, were in a Melbourne nightclub, and our phones started ringing simultaneously and it was the coach, Tim Coyle," Paine said on SEN Tassie.
“We thought, that's weird, cause we're out having a great night, what would Coyley be ringing us for this time of night? Thinking it was probably 2 or 3 o'clock.
“It was about five past six (6:05am), and our plane was boarding back to Hobart, and we were still in a nightclub.
“I remember getting back to Hobart later that day and going in to see Tim Coyle and Andrew Dykes.
“I don't think we got the greatest reception, for missing that flight, but one of plenty I would have copped."
That wasn't the only memorable spray Paine copped throughout his career, with another coming from former Cricket Academy coach Bennett King still clear as day to the former Test captain.
“There's a guy, I'm not sure if listeners remember, called Bennett King, who used to coach Queensland, and he is a hard, tough, uncompromising man," Paine said.
“I rolled up to the cricket academy at one stage as a 17/18-year-old, and Bennett had just left Queensland after winning about four shields in a row to take over the academy coach.
“I turned up with blonde hair and tips and collar up, and Bennett did not take too fondly to me.
“He took any opportunity he could to give me an absolute bake.”
Listen to Paine's re-telling of the story here.
