Will See After The Series: Tim Paine On His International Future

Australian Test captain Tim Paine has said that he has been having discussions with head coach Justin Langer and chairman of selectors Trevor Horns regarding his playing future but added that for now, his eyes are firmly set on the upcoming four-match Test series against India.

Tim Paine was thrust into the job in March 2018 after then skipper Steve Smith was sacked due to his role in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal. Paine might not be the most technically astute or charismatic cricketer that Australia has ever produced but he has done a stellar job as a leader in rebuilding the side from the ruins.

He became the first Aussie captain to retain the Ashes on English soil since 2001 last summer and he is now looking forward to avenging the defeat that the home side suffered under his leadership against India two seasons ago.

”We will wait and see. From the very first time I came back into this Test team, when I wasn’t the captain, I wouldn’t look past another series. When you are young, things can be taken away from you really quickly,” Tim Paine said while contemplating on his future during the virtual press-conference ahead of the 1st Test.

Tim Paine is averaging a modest 30 in Test cricket and he is yet to score a hundred for Australia. But the Tasmanian stumper explained that his role in the team is to chip-in with some handy runs while batting with the tail besides keeping the wickets and marshaling his troops.

”In terms of my captaincy, it’s been okay as I have a role to play in this group like everyone else does. As long as I keep doing that, we are all happy. My job is to keep and captain and score some handy runs with the tail and yeah that’s my role. It’s going for me pretty well,” Paine added.

Paine admitted the fact the covid-109 enforced protocols will take a heavy toll on players during the summer, but as far as he is concerned, the restrictions will not be the reason behind him not extending his career.

”Before we got here we did discuss what this year is going to look like. Obviously with the Test summer, guys were going to be a bit fatigued. We are trying to get on to be honest. It is what it is.”

The Australian skipper also added that people are suffering a lot more due to Covid than the ones who are staying in a bio-bubble and playing Test cricket.

“There’s lot worse things that you could be doing rather than playing Test cricket for your country, to be in a hub, staying in nice hotels and eating good food. So we are still very lucky, to be doing what we are doing. Obviously, there is going to be a bit of fatigue for guys who has been doing it for months. It’s up to guys like myself and few others who haven’t been there to drive the energy of this group.”Tim Paine added.

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