WE WANT WARNER

PAINE CALLS FOR BAD BOY’S RETURN

TASMANIAN Tim Paine was as surprised as anyone when he was given the one-day captaincy, but now he’s got it he’s going to fight tooth and nail to hold it.

Cricket Australia selected the talented gloveman to lead the side for its first tour since the South African ball tampering debacle to give new coach Justin Langer continuity of message and leadership as Australia tries to rebuild.

“A lot has changed in the last few months. I certainly wasn’t expecting to be part of the one-day set-up going forward, that was the information I was getting,” said Paine, 33.

“But obviously with the events that have happened I’m thrilled to be getting another opportunity and to captain the team is a huge privilege.”

CA has said Paine’s captaincy is only locked in for next month’s tour of England for a 50-over tournament, but Paine hopes to make it a permanent role through his performance and leadership.

“The way I’ve been told is it’s an interim role at the moment,” he said.

“But I’m in the side, and I am the captain, so my goal is to make it last as I have with my Test career, to play as long as I can.

“I want to be involved in the World Cup [next year] if I possibly can and this is a huge opportunity for me to go over to where the World Cup is going to be held against the best team in the world and play well, captain well and show I have plenty more to add in oneday cricket.”