Tim Paine Apologizes After Fans And Critics Come Down Hard On Him For His Distasteful Behavior In The SCG Test

Australian wicketkeeper-batsman and captain Tim Paine has accepted that needs to set a better example as far as his language is concerned for all the kids watching on television besides lamenting on the three dropped catches that effectively sealed Australia’s fate in the Sydney Test.

Paine, who has won a lot of accolades for his behavior on the cricket field post the shambles of Newlands 2018, certainly was not up to the mark with regards to his conduct in the Sydney Test.

He dropped the F-bomb on umpire Paul Wilson after a DRS call in India’s first innings, for which he has been fined 15% of his match fees.

“I probably set a pretty poor example with my use of language,” he told reporters. “Certainly disappointed with myself. I certainly didn’t mean to be disrespectful to him (Wilson). It was just the heat of the moment. I need to be better,” he added.

“I know the stump mics are on and there’s a lot of kids watching, and I need to set a better example,” Paine said.

If that was not enough, the Australian captain taunted Ravichandran Ashwin in the wee hours of the Test match, mocking him for not having many friends within his own team besides calling the off-spinner ‘d***head’

“Even your teammates think you’re a goose. Don’t they? Every one of them,” Paine told Ashwin. How many IPL teams wanted you, when you asked every single one of them to have you? he said.

Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar took exception to Paine’s behavior during his commentary stint.

“Frankly, it’s ridiculous. It’s unnecessary.” Sunil Gavaskar said.

Paine; Can't wait to get you to the Gabba, Ash

Ashwin; Can't wait to get you to India, it'll be your last series

Paine; At least my teammates like me, dickhead pic.twitter.com/1XBTmAiAue

— Nick Toovey (@OneTooves) January 11, 2021

Paine, who went on to drop his third catch of the day shortly after his spat with Ashwin, defended the conduct of him and his team.

“We try our best but we aren’t perfect. If the worst thing we’ve done is let the odd f-bomb go then I think we are going OK.” he said.

Besides dropping Vihari, Paine also shelled two catching opportunities of Rishabh Pant, who went on to smash a whirlwind 118-ball 97.

Needless to say, the Aussie Test captain was bitterly disappointed with his efforts.

“I’m bitterly disappointed, I pride myself on my wicketkeeping. Haven’t had too many worse days than that. It’s a horrible feeling … I let them (bowlers) down. I have to wear that.” he said.

Also Read: If You Chat You Got To Take The Catch: Brad Hogg Fires Shots At Australian Skipper Tim Paine