Ricky Ponting's startling call on Tim Paine in new cricket role

The cricket world was in a frenzy over Ricky Ponting's signing for the Hobart Hurricanes as a strategist for the upcoming BBL season and the Aussie icon has left the door ajar for a Tim Paine return.

Ponting most recently coached the Delhi Capitals in a successful IPL campaign.

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The Aussie is considered to have one of the most astute cricket minds in the game and his signing on a three-year deal with the Hurricanes is a huge bonus.

And following his appointment, Ponting said he could potentially welcome back Paine to the fold.

“What I’d like to achieve with the Hurricanes would be to bring as many great Tasmanian people back around the franchise as possible,” Ponting said.

“I think Tim Paine fits perfectly into that mould. So if he’s ever ready to walk back with the purple shirt on, I’m sure lots of Tasmanians would like to see him involved.”

Ponting went on to talk about former Aussie coach Justin Langer and his potential to join the fold, but questioned if he needed more time off.

“(Langer) is probably the one that’s I’ve spoken to the most about it so far,” Ponting added.

“We’ve been having a bit of dialogue through the last six or seven months, to be honest. Nothing’s finalised with Justin yet.

“He definitely wants to coach again. I think he’s got a bit more thinking to do as far as a commitment is concerned through the summer. Every chat I’ve had with him so far, he wants to coach again.”

Ricky Ponting excited to join Hobart Hurricanes

"I'm passionate about the progression of Tasmanian and Australian cricket across all forms of the game so to be asked to take on such a critical role for the Hurricanes is really special," Ponting said in a statement on Thursday.

"I'm looking forward to getting to work and securing the best coach for what we need then building a plan for the team to execute next season.

"With a few tweaks in a couple of key areas, I believe the Hurricanes have the foundations to win our first BBL trophy."

Ponting added that one of his priorities was the signing of a high quality overseas spinner.

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