Mike Hussey And Shane Warne Collide On-Air Over Tim Paine's Place In The Australian Team

Former Australian cricketers Shane Warne and Mike Hussey got involved in a heated argument while commenting for Fox Cricket during the second day of the pink-ball Test between Australia and India

The argument happened on the topic of whether current skipper Tim Paine merits a place in the side based purely on his wicketkeeping skills or does he need to contribute heavily with the bat in order to keep the likes, Alex Carey, at bay.

Mike Hussey reckoned that Tim Paine warrants a place in the side because of his keeping skills and that his runs are an added bonus.

“There was a lot of talk coming into this summer saying Tim Paine needs runs with the bat,” Mike Hussey said.

”For me it is almost irrelevant. His runs are an absolute bonus. It is about his keeping. If he is the number one keeper in the country that is what I think he needs to be picked on,” he added. You can’t afford to miss things behind the stumps. Yes we want him to contribute with the bat as well, but that is a bonus,” Hussey reckoned.

However, legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne took exception to Hussey’s opinion, adding that Tim Paine needs to score runs if he has to keep his place in the team.

“So if he is not making any runs he can stay in the side because he is a good keeper and captain?” Warne asked. If he is the best keeper in the country I am keeping him as keeper and captain,” Hussey replied.

“Interesting Huss, I think he needs to make runs,” Warne hit back.

Interestingly, the argument happened on a day when Tim Paine played a captain’s knock. The Australian skipper scored a brilliant unbeaten 99-ball 73; a knock that helped his team reduce the first innings deficit considerably.

Also Read- ‘Indians Are In A Christmas Mood’- Sunil Gavaskar Takes A Sarcastic Dig At India’s Fielding