Australia Test captain and wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine has been rested by Tasmania for their Sheffield Shield fixture against Victoria after pulling up a bit sore.
Tasmania coach Adam Griffith is keen to ensure his teams are fit and firing for the business end of the Sheffield Shield season after leaving out Australian captain Tim Paine for next week's match against Victoria.
Paine is one of two omissions for the Tigers ahead of the game at the Junction Oval, with Alex Pyecroft also left out of the 13-man squad. Paceman Sam Rainbird returns and uncapped batsman Sean Willis has been called up after recent good performances.
He is still getting over a really long summer, both mentally and physically. He just was not moving right in Adelaide, he was still a bit sore. It is more of a management thing it is not a major injury or anything.
"The prudent thing for us to do with a lot of players and we have got four, maybe five shield games in a short space of time after the Big Bash League break, we want to make sure we are playing our best cricket at the end of the season," Griffith said.
In the absence of Paine, Captain Matthew Wade is expected to wear gloves. Uncapped batsman Sean Willis and left-arm quick Sam Rainbird have been named in the 13-man squad, while pacer Alex Pyecroft has been omitted.
However, the Tigers coach was confident that strong depth within the bowling ranks would more than cover the loss.
"Alex wasn't at his best the other day and didn't quite deliver what he has done for us, but he's a bit sore as well with a knee issue," Griffith said.
"But that is the beauty of our squad we have guys that are in form. Sam Rainbird comes back in and he has taken wickets in the Futures League-leading in, while Gabe Bell is in the squad as well after taking five wickets the other day."
