The Carbine Club of Tasmania celebrated the achievements of the Australian Men’s Cricket team at the Captain’s Congratulation Luncheon at Blundstone Arena, Bellerive on Thursday March 12, 2020.

After retaining the Ashes on English soil, Australia won all five test matches at home defeating Pakistan and New Zealand. Every match was won within four days, a feat which had never before been achieved.

Test Captain Tim Paine was the special guest speaker, and kept the large crowd entertained with his sense of humour and 'down to earth' manner. 

Cricket Tasmania Chief Executive Officer Dominic Baker, who had earlier been inducted as the club’s newest member, conducted the interview with the special guest covering a wide range of topics from club cricket and Paine’s humble beginnings with the University Cricket Club to his shock selection in the national team and eventual appointment as Skipper of the Australian Men's Test Cricket Team.

Carbine Club of Tasmania member Ally Bradley presented Tim Paine with a bottle of Penfolds 389 in appreciation of his guest appearance, and spoke of her two sons' enthusiasm for cricket inspired by a recent visit to their school by Tim Paine.

Despite the apprehension to attend public gatherings caused by the coronavirus scare, and a departure from the traditional Friday afternoon event, the Thursday Luncheon was enjoyed by a large crowd which packed the Ricky Ponting Stand function room at the Australian Captain’s ‘home ground’ at Bellerive’s Blundstone Arena.

Carbine Club Tasmania President Steve Adermann with former Australian International T20 Captain George Bailey (left) and Australian Men's Test Cricket Captain Tim Paine (right)