He Missed A Few Tricks And His Keeping Was Nowhere Near As Good As What I’ve Seen From Him: Michael Clarke On Tim Paine

Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke has come down hard on the chairman of the national selection committee Trevor Horns after he said that Test captain Tim Paine’s credentials as skipper were never in doubt and that the selection panel did not waste time discussing him while pondering over the squad for the upcoming Test tour of South Africa.

The national selection committee recently announced the Australian squad for the Test series against the Proteas where under-fire skipper Tim Paine received unanimous backing despite him presiding over successive Test series defeats at home against India in the last three years.

While Tim Paine averaged over 40 with the bat during the series against India, some of his tactics as well as his wicketkeeping came under the scanner.

Michael Clarke has pointed out the same, stating that the selectors should not be under any illusion regarding Paine’s underwhelming performance with the gloves and as a tactician.

“Don’t say nothing’s wrong there. Tactically he missed a few tricks and his keeping was nowhere near as good as what I’ve seen from Painey.” said Michael Clarke on Sky Sports ‘Big Sports Breakfast.

Clarke further added that he backs the selector’s decision to back Tim Paine, they can’t remain in an illusion that the tactics which did not work against India, will automatically work in South Africa.

He also reckoned that the selectors should have added someone in the coaching staff to help Tim Paine get better with his tactics.

”Obviously you have to make the team first but then the captaincy, it would have been spoken about,” he added. My question is – so many past players, so many people – the fans of the game – have questioned Painey’s tactics throughout the series. So, you haven’t questioned his captaincy and you haven’t added anyone, whether it is a player or support staff member to the squad to help him with his tactics.

“How does he get better? How does he go to South Africa to improve? It seems like that is an area that he needs help, whether it is extra leadership on the field or extra people around him to help him get better. If you keep doing the same thing you will keep getting the same results,” Clarke said.

“Is Trevor Hohns saying they thought the tactics were fine and we’ll be right and do the same thing in South Africa but get a different result? If that is the case, I said they missed a few tricks throughout the summer. There’s nothing wrong with sticking with Painey. I like him, that’s great, stick with your captain if you think he is the right man for the job,” he added.

“Still help him get better. This is my point about Painey. I’m not saying it is time to go. Stick with the captain, I love that. But give him some help. Allow him to get better in the areas he needs to get better. What changes are we making for South Africa to help Painey call it tactically? What are we doing different? We go to South Africa and win and everything is different? That is not how you win the Ashes,” Michael Clarke said.

Also Read: How The ‘Gabbatoir’ Breach Helped A Billion Team India Fans Exorcise The Demons Of The 4th Innings Run-Chase