Tim’s lid popped as pressure keeps coming

THE fact only two wicketkeepers from any nation have captained more Tests than Tim Paine tells its own story about the day he felt the lid pop off his baggy green saucepan.

India’s MS Dhoni ( 60 Tests) and Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim ( 28) are the only names ahead of Paine ( 23) on the list of keeper- captains. When it comes to Australians the numbers are equally revealing. Paine comfortably leads the local list from old- time gloveman Jack Blackham ( eight Tests as captain) who played his last Test 127 years ago.

The moral of the story is simple. For 143 years of Test cricket Australian selectors – and most of their worldwide counterparts – have generally tried not to burden their keepers with the captaincy amid fears the stresses of the combined jobs will reach a point where their minds or their glovework will go ‘ pop.’

Paine felt them both go in the one day. And he lost his renowned cool with them.

Paine did well yesterday to bound on to the front foot and apologise for his cheap sledging of Ravi Ashwin, who he called a dickhead.

Given the Indians had been racially sledged by the crowd over the past two days, it was a bad word at a bad time. Even the tone in which it was delivered was poor. It was the low point of a forgettable day for Australia.

Paine’s apology was sincere and humble and went some way to ensuring the wonderful work he has done as leader since being thrown into the job midTest during the ball tampering scandal will remain his legacy.

There was no pressure from above for him to call an unscheduled press conference but after an anguished night of soul- searching he decided on it and in the short term, at least, it worked. The air seemed much lighter when his 23- minute conference ended. But the challenges go on. Friday’s Gabba Test, against a brave Indian side will define Australia’s summer on and off the field.

Paine and his Australians somehow have to find the right line between playing strong, aggressive cricket and not being reduced to cheap taunts if things don’t go their way.