Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist (Credits - Getty)

Australia Test captain Tim Paine might not have been in good touch with the bat of late but as a captain, he ensured to deliver the much-needed amends and that’s what former Australian wicket-keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist feels.

Tim Paine was on the receiving end of trolls and abuses for failing to up the ante in the Ashes 2019. However, Adam Gilchrist came to Paine’s defence adding that he has done a ‘wonderful job as skipper’. Under the tutelage of Time Paine, Australia retained the Ashes urn for the first time since 2001.

Tim Paine
Tim Paine lifts the Ashes urn (Credit: Getty Images)

“Like every other player, he’s got a hold of his spot in the team as being selected as the best available option for that player type. I think he’s doing a wonderful job as captain,” Adam Gilchrist was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Tim Paine was a happy man as a captain but not as a player when the Kangaroos retained the urn. The wicket-keeper batsman’s increased frailty with the bat was hardly a problem to England bowlers as they dismissed him quite easily. Paine scored only a single fifty from 10 innings.

Gilchrist said that Tim Paine instilled a formula of collective spirit in the team, in what was enough to evolve as potential match-winners. “If you look at what he took on, when he took it on, he in partnership with [coach] Justin [Langer] and all the players have done a remarkable job over the past 12 months to just get a nice, stable balance back,” said Gilchrist.

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I can’t see any rush to push Tim Paine out, says Adam Gilchrist

Tim Paine
Tim Paine at the press conference (Credits – Getty)

There were speculations that Tim Paine should be axed from the team but Gilchrist feels there is no point in making the decision. “I can’t see any rush to push him out, as long as he’s still performing, like we all had to, to stay in the team,” he added.

Now a test of Tim Paine’s tactical acumen awaits as Australia will take on Pakistan in the Test series scheduled to begin from November 21.