Australia’s Test captain Tim Paine ended a 13-year wait for a first-class century, when he made 121 on Saturday, October 12, the third day of Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield clash against Western Australia.
Paine’s knock helped Tasmania procure the first-innings lead, as they went 60 ahead of Western Australia’s 337 before being bowled out.
Paine walked out with Tasmania still 161 behind, having lost half their side. He saw them through to stumps on Friday, having put on 41 unbroken runs with Caleb Jewell. The duo resumed their partnership on Saturday, adding a further 39 before Jewell fell for 52 to fast bowler Joel Paris.
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Paine then lost Sam Rainbird and Jackson Bird in quick succession, at which point Tasmania were still 56 behind. But a 111-run partnership between Paine and No.10 Lawrence Neil-Smith, who remained not out on 39, took Tasmania into the lead. Paine was the ninth man dismissed, for 121 off 208 balls, featuring 13 fours and a six.
It was only his second century in 125 first-class matches. The last one came in October 2006, when as a 21-year-old, Paine made a double-century at the WACA, in what was only his fifth appearance.
