Australian Test skipper Tim Paine has formally apologised for the use of wrong words against Ravichandran Ashwin while he was batting on Day 5 of the SCG Test. India ultimately were able to draw the Test match with Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari batting for over three hours each and facing 259 balls in the process. They added an unbeaten 62-run stand to frustrate the Australian bowlers who did everything possible from their end. 

Addressing the post-match press conference, Paine apologised for the use of wrong words against Ashwin. He was heard constantly chatting to Ashwin from behind the stumps as it disturbed Ashwin’s focus. . Paine was heard calling Ashwin “a di******” at one point during these moments. On Tuesday, a day after the match, Paine addressed a press conference where he apologised for his actions.

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Tim Paine Apologises For Using Foul Words Against Ravichandran Ashwin

“International cricket at the moment with the hub life and in the bubble you have a fair bit of time to yourself and last night for me was one of those moments to sit back and reflect on the Test match. I think it was important to address some things from yesterday. I want to apologise for the way I went about things yesterday. I’m someone who prides themselves on the way I lead this team and yesterday was a poor reflection of that” said Paine. 

He also criticised his own leadership and said that he let down his bowlers in the process. He missed three catches during the day’s play to lessen Australian’s chances of winning the Test match. He dropped Rishabh Pant twice and Hanuma Vihari once during the course of the day’s play.  

“My leadership wasn’t good enough, I let the pressure of the game get to me, it affected my mood and then from there affected my performance. Yesterday when I came off the ground my reflection was purely on my wicketkeeping. Sitting back last night and reflecting on the whole game, I think I said to our players yesterday I’ve had a really poor game as a leader, not so much as a captain but certainly as a leader” Paine further said. 

Tim Paine was also penalised for showing dissent at an umpire’s decision for his misuse of words in the day’s play. He was handed a demerit point and fined 15 percent of his match fee as well.

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