Tim Paine to Join Simon Helmot With Duo to Lead NT Strike

Paine, 39, was confirmed today by Northern Territory Cricket CEO Gavin Dovey who was excited to announce another high calibre appointment.  

“I'm thrilled Tim has agreed to come on board for the series. I was lucky to work alongside Tim as a player and captain, and I just loved his approach to people, the team and the game. 

“Tim is as good a person as you’ll meet and to be able to add someone with his international playing experience and cricket knowledge to the coaching staff will be invaluable. I’ve no doubt the players will love working with him.” 

Paine is one of the most experienced players in Australian cricket, with well over 400 professional games to his name across an 18-year on field career including 35 Test Matches, 35 One Day Internationals and 12 T20 Internationals.  

The former Australian keeper’s foray into coaching began last year when he joined Jason Gillespie at the Adelaide Strikers for KFC BBL|13 and BBL|14.  

Paine has also been an Assistant Coach to Adam Voges for an Australia A Series against New Zealand, as well as coaching and mentoring young players as part of the Cricket Australia U19 program.  

Currently in England playing in the Legends League, Paine said he looked forward to returning to the Top End. 

“I have fond memories of being in Darwin for the inaugural Top End T20 Series back in 2021, where I helped Troy Cooley coach a Cricket Australia XI. 

“It looks like the series has just gone from strength to strength since then, and it’s incredible to think you’ve got Pakistan and Bangladesh travelling out for it. These are two of the biggest cricket nations in the world.  

“It sounds like there are going to be a lot of great young players, coaches and people involved in the game in Darwin. There’s definitely a bit of buzz about it.”  

In addition to Paine’s appointment, NT Cricket is pleased to announce Dylan Slater (NT Cricket, Coach Development Specialist) and Udara Weerasinghe (Head Coach, Waratah Cricket Club) will round out an expanded coaching team for the series.  

In recent years both Slater and Weerasinghe have completed their Cricket Australia High-Performance (Level 3) Coaching Certificate through NT Cricket, and been heavily involved in coaching NT senior and pathways teams.  

Dovey said he was pleased that local coaches continued to get exposure to some of the best cricketing minds in the game.  

“Udara has been coaching in the Territory for a long time now and brings a lot of local knowledge and experience. He did a fantastic job with the Top End T20 Series last year and I know he is excited about this opportunity to continue to learn and improve.  

“Dylan is a talented young coach who is investing a lot in his coaching journey. He had an opportunity to coach in the IPL this year but unfortunately couldn’t take it, so I'm delighted he gets an opportunity to show his potential to this group of players.” 

2024 Top End T20 Series Fixtures

Friday 9 August 

6:00pm: Northern Territory vs. Perth Scorchers | DXC Arena 

Saturday 10 August 

10:00am: Melbourne Renegades vs. Melbourne Stars | DXC Arena 

3:00pm: Perth Scorchers vs. Pakistan Shaheens | DXC Arena 

6:00pm: Tasmania vs. Adelaide Strikers | TIO Stadium 

Sunday 11 August     

10:00am: Bangladesh HP vs. Melbourne Renegades | Gardens Oval 

1:00pm: Adelaide Strikers vs. Northern Territory | Gerry Wood Oval 

3:00pm: Pakistan Shaheens vs. Melbourne Stars | Gardens Oval 

Monday 12 August 

10:00am: Tasmania vs. Northern Territory | TIO Stadium 

2:00pm: Perth Scorchers vs. ACT Comets | DXC Arena 

6:00pm: Tasmania vs. Bangladesh HP | TIO Stadium 

Tuesday 13 August 

10:00am: Melbourne Stars vs. Adelaide Strikers | Cazaly’s Arena 

1:00pm: Northern Territory vs. Melbourne Renegades | DXC Arena 

3:00pm: Melbourne Stars vs. ACT Comets | Cazaly’s Arena 

6:00pm: Tasmania vs. Pakistan Shaheens | DXC Arena 

Wednesday 14 August 

10:00am: Melbourne Renegades vs. Perth Scorchers | Cazaly’s Arena 

1:00pm: Adelaide Strikers vs. Bangladesh HP | DXC Arena 

3:00pm: Melbourne Renegades vs. Tasmania | Cazaly’s Arena 

6:00pm: Northern Territory vs. Melbourne Stars | DXC Arena 

Thursday 15 August 

1:00pm: ACT Comets vs. Bangladesh HP | TIO Stadium 

3:00pm: Perth Scorchers vs. Adelaide Strikers | Gardens Oval 

6:00pm: Melbourne Renegades vs. Pakistan Shaheens | TIO Stadium 

Friday 16 August 

10:00am: Tasmania vs. Melbourne Stars | TIO Stadium 

2:00pm: ACT Comets vs. Northern Territory | Gardens Oval 

6:00pm: Pakistan Shaheens vs. Bangladesh HP | TIO Stadium 

Saturday 17 August 

10:00am: ACT Comets vs. Adelaide Strikers | DXC Arena  

2:00pm: Bangladesh HP vs. Perth Scorchers | TIO Stadium 

6:00pm: ACT Comets vs. Pakistan Shaheens | DXC Arena 

Sunday 18 August     

10:00am: Semi-Final 1 | DXC Arena 

10:00am: Semi-Final 2 | TIO Stadium 

4:00pm: Final | DXC Arena