'I need to set a better example for kids watching' - Tim Paine on stump mic catching his abusive words

Paine also reflected upon his three drop catches saying that he let his bowlers down.

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Tim Paine
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Tim Paine. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Right before the Ashes 2017-18, Australia called back Tim Paine after trying a string of keepers for some time. At the time, the Tasmanian was playing to retire with no hopes of coming back to the national side. Cut to a few months later, then skipper Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner are caught in the ball-tampering controversy. Paine, as an experienced first-class player, with little international success to his name is entrusted to bring a cultural change within the Australian side. 

It’s been almost three years since that then, but there hasn’t been a day that Australian former cricketers have not praised Paine for his turnaround. However, at the end of the Sydney Test against India, some opinions might change. 

I probably set a pretty poor example with my use of language: Tim Paine

On the final day when Australian needed to get rid of the Indian batsman, the captain dropped as many as three catches, two (once on 3 and once on 56) of Rishabh Pant, who went on to score 97 runs while the other one was of Hanuma Vihari, who played more than 160 deliveries to help his side draw the Test. 

After the match, the Aussie skipper expressed his disappointment regarding his performance. To make things worse, the 36-year-old was fined 15% of match fees for his on-field rant directed at the umpire, Paul Wilson. Like any other classic Australian captain, Paine said that he knows he set a wrong example for the kids watching. 

“I probably set a pretty poor example with my use of language. Certainly disappointed with myself,” Paine told reporters. “I certainly didn’t mean to be disrespectful to him (Wilson). It was just the heat of the moment. I need to be better. I know the stump ‘mics’ are on and there’s a lot of kids watching and I need to set a better example.”

The Aussie captain reflects on his three drop catches

Paine also said an awful lot of stuff to Ravichandran Ashwin while he was batting. The Indian all-rounder tried to avoid engaging in any conversation, but Paine kept on it trying to settle him. The Australian skipper also called Ashwin a ‘d***head’, which is contrary to what Paine has been portrayed as. 

Paine also reflected upon his three drop catches saying that he let his bowlers down. “I’m bitterly disappointed, I pride myself on my wicketkeeping,” Paine said “Haven’t had too many worse days than that. It’s a horrible feeling … I let them (bowlers) down. I have to wear that.”

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