Tim Paine has done a decent job ever since he took over the leadership duties in Tests in the aftermath of the ball-tampering scandal. Since then, the Aussies have kept themselves away from confrontation which was an important feature in their game for a long time.
Australia’s ruthless approach was questioned on occasions but the captains had the results under their belt. Their behaviour played a key role in helping them maintain a 34-match unbeaten streak at the World Cup and rule Test cricket for a long period.
Tim Paine can sledge – Mohammad Kaif
In the last couple of year, Australian cricketers have resorted to banters instead of sledging. The 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was full of banters which was also witnessed in the recently-concluded limited-overs series. Australian players’ participation in IPL might have played a part in it but it’s a fact that they don’t sledge much now.
While the top Australian players might resist from sledging Indians, former India batsman Mohammad Kaif has named one player who can sledge the visitors.
“All the players who play in the IPL, whether it is (Aaron) Finch, (David) Warner or (Pat) Cummins, none of them are going to fight now. Tim Paine does not play, he knows that he is not going to come to India, he does not have anything to do with the IPL, so he can confront the Indians,” Mohammad Kaif said during a conversation on Sony Sports Network.
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Incidentally, Tim Paine last featured in IPL nine years back in 2011 when he featured for Pune Warriors India. It would be interesting to see if Australian players indulge in sledging which can make the upcoming four-match Test series more interesting.
The series kicks off on December 17 with the pink-ball Test at the Adelaide Oval.
