Former Australian cricket captain Tim Paine is taking his first tentative steps towards a return to cricket.
Paine is training with the Tigers' Sheffield Shield squad with the aim of playing for University in the state's Premier League competition this season.
Tasmanian fast bowler Riley Meredith said Paine first started training a few weeks ago.
"He's really enjoying it which, I think, is the main thing for him," he said.
"Just coming back and really enjoying being around the guys again and training and just enjoying his cricket, which is good to see."
The 37-year-old does not have a contract with Cricket Tasmania, but a spokeswoman for the organisation says Paine has not ruled out a return to first-class cricket.
"He will see what comes from there," she said.
Meredith said Paine would be welcomed with open arms back into the Sheffield Shield team.
"He's probably one of our most capped players ever so it would be cool to have him down there in any capacity," he said.
"He's obviously a really good captain, got a great cricket brain, so if he wants to play he's more than welcome, that's for sure."
Paine stepped away from all forms of the game last year in the wake of revelations that he sent explicit phone messages to a Cricket Tasmania employee.
He had played 35 Tests for Australia, taking 150 catches and seven stumpings as wicketkeeper.
The right-handed batsman made 1,534 Test runs at an average of 32.63.
Paine became captain of Australia after the ball-tampering controversy in South Africa in 2018 before leading Australia to retain the Ashes in England in 2019.
He led the team in 23 Tests, winning 11, losing eight and drawing four.
The keeper last played a competitive match for Tasmania's 2nd XI in a game against a South Australian 2nd XI in November 2021, shortly after he resigned from the Australian captaincy.
He took six catches in that match but made scores of one and four before announcing he would be unavailable for Australian selection and was taking an indefinite leave from the sport.
