This win’s great, but four to go says Paine

“And that’s what is driving us. To come to England in these conditions is difficult for us as it is for England to go to Australia. There’s a big five weeks ahead of us.”

After taking over the captaincy in difficult circumstances after the sandpaper scandal, Paine has endured several different incarnations of the Test team.

Another six changes were made from the last side he captain against Sri Lanka in February coming into his first Ashes stoush as skipper.

But two inclusions were David Warner and Smith, the latter contributing 286 runs.

Combined with Lyon’s nine-wicket haul, Paine was confident Australia once again had the manpower that could win not just in England, but anywhere. “I think Steve Smith was unbelievable. There’s no doubt about that,” Paine said.

“He’s the best player in the world in Test cricket at the moment. He’s probably the best ever statistically, and while he’s at the crease I think our team’s got real confidence.

“While Steve’s scoring runs and Nathan’s taking wickets, we’re a pretty dangerous cricket team. And as I think you saw, the rest of us will grow with confidence the better those guys are going.

“Add to that Pat Cummins and Matthew Wade’s performances this game and we’re really proud and happy about the way we went about this whole Test match.”

Paine said he would be “foolish” not to listen to former leaders Smith and Warner and any suggestion to the contrary was just plain wrong.

Both Smith, the former captain, and Warner, the former vice-captain, are banned from leadership roles as part of their punishment for the ball-tampering scandal.

There were suggestions that Smith, who could be captain again as soon as March next year, seemed to be doing more than a mere fielder during the opening Test, and that Paine was potentially being undermined. But that was quickly shot down by Paine who, with just 23 Tests to his name, said the wealth of experience he was surrounded with were all crucial ingredients to any Australian success.

“Both of those guys in particular have played a lot more cricket in England than I have. They’ve played a lot more big tournaments and big series and big Tests than I have, and the same goes for all of our team,” Paine said.

“They’re not only helping me with the way they lead our group, they’re also helping … the things that Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh and Travis Head are learning from Steve Smith and David Warner in our change room is stuff that cannot be taught.”