Wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine seems to have gone from unwanted to hot property in Tasmania.
The 32-year-old will again wear the gloves for Tassie in their Sheffield Shield meeting with Queensland at Bellerive Oval, starting on Tuesday, as selectors consider who should stand behind the stumps for the Tigers next season.
Sitting in last place on the Shield ladder with no chance of making the finals from the season's two remaining fixtures, Cricket Tasmania is turning its attention to the future, chairman of selectors Michael Farrell said.
"After these next two games we'll make some decisions on Tim and others," Farrell said on Monday, noting that Paine's contract is due to expire.
Paine missed Shield selection for almost a year until last round when he made his Tigers comeback after keeping during Australia's Twenty20 clash with Sri Lanka in February.
His reintroduction to the XI squeezed out an underperforming Jake Doran, and now Tassie face the prospect of Australian Test keeper Matthew Wade making a return to the southern state.
"With Matthew Wade we've had a bit of a look at the calendar and if he keeps his spot in the Australian cricket team he's unavailable for us for any (Shield) game so that might not even be a factor," Farrell said.
"We love Tim's aggressive nature. He brings a lot of energy to the group, he's great with young players."
Farrell admitted Tasmania are at risk of losing Paine, who's fielded interstate interest.
"He's got potential job opportunities but there's certainly not anything concrete from his end."
The Tigers have named an all-pace attack against the Bulls with Hamish Kingston named in the 12-man squad at the cost of Cameron Boyce.
Queensland must win in Hobart to keep their competition hopes alive and will rely on fast bowler Ben Cutting to perform in place of injured quick Mark Steketee, who is set to miss the remainder of the season with a side strain.
SQUADS
TASMANIA: George Bailey (capt), Alex Doolan, James Faulkner, Jake Hancock, Hamish Kingston, Ben McDermott, Simon Milenko, Tim Paine, Andrew Perrin, Sam Rainbird, Cameron Stevenson, Beau Webster.
QUEENSLAND: Joe Burns (capt), Ben Cutting, Luke Feldman, Jason Floros, Peter Forrest, Cameron Gannon, Peter George, Sam Heazlett, Marnus Labuschagne, James Peirson, Sam Truloff, Jack Wildermuth.
