Warne queries Paine inclusion

– Australia appear confused by picking wicketkeeper Tim Paine (above) for the Ashes squad against England as he is not even the first choice selection for his state side, leg-spinning great Shane Warne said yesterday.

The 32-year-old Paine, who played the last of his four Tests in October 2010, got the nod ahead of out-of-form Matthew Wade and contender Peter Nevill for a spot in a 13-man squad for the opening two Tests.

Paine has been behind Wade for Tasmania but was included in Steve Smith’s side, with selection chief Trevor Hohns calling him the best wicketkeeper in the country.

“England at the moment are just going along nicely,” Australian Warne, the second highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, told reporters in Sydney yesterday.

“They’re just doing their business.

“Australia look confused. They’re picking wicketkeepers that aren’t even keeping for their state. To me, I think England are in a better situation.”

The first of the five-Test Ashes will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from Thursday and the series will be closely-fought, according to Warne, who took 708 wickets in 145 Tests in a career spanning 15 years.

Paine scored a half-century against England and kept for the Cricket Australia XI in the tour match in Adelaide. He also scored an unbeaten 71 against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield competition this week. – Reuters

Melbourne