Ashes 2017/18: Tim Paine to Join Australia Squad at MCG on Sunday

Australia wicket-keeper Tim Paine will join the rest of the Australian squad in Melbourne on Sunday after the keeper stayed back at Tasmania with his family due to personal reasons.

Rest of the Australian squad landed in Melbourne on Friday and had a training session earlier on Saturday, but Paine had to miss the session, as he had stayed back after his father-in-law suffered a stroke and was hospitalised.

The 33-year-old Paine, who was recalled to the Aussie squad after regular keeper Matthew Wade’s drop in form will join the squad on Sunday ahead of the start of the Boxing Day Test on Tuesday.

Right-arm pacer Jackson Bird, who is likely to replace injured Starc for the fourth Test said the thoughts of the Australian team is with Paine, his wife Bonnie, and their extended family.

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“It’s a terrible time for Tim’s family and Bonnie’s family as well. The thoughts of the Australian team and our families and the Australian public are all with Bonnie and Tim during this tough time. Tim’s one of the most mentally strong players I’ve ever played with,” Bird said earlier on Saturday.

Bird further explained that being out of the team for so long and given the way, he has performed after getting the opportunity talks a lot about his character.

“I think he’s shown that in the past couple of weeks. To get back into the Test team and perform how he has after such a long period out where he had so many career-threatening injuries where he thought he might not get back. If there’s anyone who could compartmentalise that, I think it’s Tim,” the right-armer Bird further added.

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Peter Handscomb, who got dropped from the first XI for the third Magellan Ashes Test will again be benched for the Boxing Day Test.

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