Phoenix’s Tim Payne savaged by Indian fans in mistaken identity
Wellington Phoenix footballer
Tim Payne has mistakenly been caught up in the online vitriol directed at his Australian cricket namesake.
Australian captain Tim Paine has been berated by Indian cricket fans on social media after India pulled off a stunning fourth test win in Brisbane to capture the series 2-1.
Paine annoyed the Indian team, and most cricket fans, in the third test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with his frequent sledging from behind the stumps.
He got into a verbal stoush with India’s Ravichandran Ashwin, calling the offspinner a ‘‘d***head’’ and said: ‘‘We can’t wait to get you to the Gabba, Ash.’’
India coach Sunil Gavaskar called for Paine’s head after the Australian’s performance in Sydney, saying it was
‘‘unbefitting of a national team captain’’.
Indian cricket fans took to social media to remind Paine who had come out on top at the Gabba, but many tagged the wrong man with Paine’s account private and not verified.
Confused by the spelling of Paine’s name, Phoenix footballer Payne was caught up in the crossfire, getting flooded by comments. Payne eventually had to turn his comments off with some messages including offensive language. ‘‘You are the worst Aussie captain I have ever seen huh… we won at Gabba Indian team is the best. Beware of us okay,’’ one fan said in a direct message. ‘‘How can u play cricket and football same time?’’ another wrote.
Payne wasn’t the only namesake to be bombarded online by Indian cricket tragics. According to ChronicleLive, Newcastle Falcons rugby coach Tim Payne received over 600 messages and comments on Instagram over the past few days.
Payne even tweeted Australian captain Paine seeking help from the influx of messages. ‘‘Hi@tdpaine36, can you help me out here. I’m doing my best. Hope you’re well.’’
Another Tim Payne in England had some fun, creating an Instagram post photoshopping his head onto Paine’s body and cricket whites.