Former Australian captain Tim Paine is set to return to first-class cricket through Tasmania's Sheffield Shield match against Queensland.

According to News Corp, Paine will be travelling with Tasmania to face the Bulls on Thursday.

The Tasmanian Wicketkeeper hasn't played first-class cricket since 2021, and was expected to retire following a sexting scandal that saw him stood down as Australia's test cricket captain.

Stepping away from Test cricket due to mental health and his personal life, Paine has found a renewed determination to finish his career in his home state.

Paine recently featured in a Tasmanian Premier League fixture for his junior club Tasmania University, looking sharp behind the stumps.

The 37-year-old is said to be in excellent physical shape, and is motivated to help the young Tasmanian Tigers in Australia's premier domestic competition.

With another former Test captain in Ricky Ponting appointed as the Head of Strategy for the Hobart Hurricanes, a Big Bash league tenure could be Paine's next move.