I Think He’d Be A Good Leader - Tim Paine Picks Marnus Labuschagne As A Potential Future Australia Captain

Australia Test captain, Tim Paine, has tipped Marnus Labuschagne to be a favourable future captaincy candidate amidst the talks of his own future with the national side.

After the recent series loss to India at home – which was the second time Tim Paine’s Australia lost to India at home – there were questions over his leadership as their bowlers failed to bowl India out on the fifth day of the Sydney and Brisbane Test. Also, due to their slow over-rate in the Melbourne Test WTC points were docked, and they couldn’t make it to the final.

However, Tim Paine will continue leading the side at least in the Hobart Test against Afghanistan and the following high-profile home Ashes in December-January, following which he is likely to hand his boots. Steve Smith, who has become eligible to captain Australia again, could be re-instated again, or the current vice-captain Pat Cummins is another option.

Speaking about Marnus Labuschagne as a probable future captain, Paine heaped praise on the 26-year-old, and about his persona amongst the group. The right-hander is currently the third-ranked ICC Test batsman; he boasts an average of 60.80 in 18 Tests and is the leading run-scorer in the WTC cycle.

“I think he’d be a good (leader). Marnus is a great thinker of the game. He’s a good team man, he’s got so much enthusiasm for his team and the game,” Tim Paine told reporters on Monday.

“With Marnus, it’s about him evolving into leading more and being more of a leader. He’s come into our group and been a really infectious, energetic guy, which has been fantastic for our team. Still, I think in terms of our cricket team improving and Marnus evolving, I think in the next couple of years, we’ll definitely see him take the step up,” he added.

We know England are a better side than what they put up against New Zealand: Tim Paine

Tim Paine spoke about the England team for the Ashes. He said that Joe Root’s side will be a much stronger outfit than what they were in their recent home Test series loss to New Zealand, where several first-choice players were missing due to injury or were rested.

Australia are the current holders of the Ashes; under Paine in 2019, they retained the Urn for the first time in 18 years on the England shores.

“New Zealand are a good team. And secondly, I think if we are being realistic, it’s a really different team England put on the field to what we’re probably going to see in the Ashes. Keeping it in perspective it certainly wasn’t England’s strongest team.

“We know when they come here they’re going to get Ben Stokes, going to have Jofra Archer, they’re probably going to play a spinner, and a few other guys particularly the allrounders who really strengthen their side both ways. We know England are a better side than what they put up. So we’ll take a little bit from it but don’t read too much into it at the same time,” the 36-year-old skipper stated.

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