Paine consigns sledging to the past by drawing on words of Churchill
‘Behaviour never lies’ is rallying cry for tourists Captain not scared of Edgbaston’s reputation
Australia have adopted a quote from Sir Winston Churchill to help them resist slipping back into their old sledging ways over the next six weeks when the intensity of an Ashes series threatens to undermine their new image.
Brad Haddin, the Australia assistant coach, and captain Tim Paine have urged the players this week to remember the line “Behaviour never lies”, which is attributed to Churchill despite there being no evidence that he ever said it.
Paine has been credited with changing the public face of Australian cricket since picking up the pieces as Test captain after the balltampering scandal last year. Not one Australia player has been in trouble with a match referee since that incident in Cape Town and Paine wants it to stay that way, despite the inevitable baiting they will face from crowds in England and the pressure of trying to win their first Ashes series in this country for 18 years.
The full quote credited to Churchill is: “I no longer listen to what people say, I just watch what they do. Behaviour never lies.”
Paine said: “We’re going to play competitive Test match cricket like any other nation does. Our guys understand what’s expected of them. They are role models, not just for Australian people, but all around the world,” he said. “There’s been a quote hanging around the changing room this week from Winston Churchill and that’s that ‘behaviour doesn’t lie’. Ultimately you guys will see how we behave and can judge for yourselves.
“Brad Haddin brought that up with me the other day in one of the chats we had and I quite liked it. We’ve internally spoken about our behaviour and the way we’re going to be seen. I think it’s a great quote for us and it’s a great quote for you guys. It’s amazing, we [have] come into every press conference in the past 12 months and talk about our behaviour – you can just watch us and judge us.”
Edgbaston has been described as England’s Gabba, a ground where they receive vociferous support and have a strong winning record. Australia have not won a Test in Birmingham since the 2001 Ashes series and lost here three weeks ago to England in the World Cup semifinal. Justin Langer, the head coach, tried to allay his players’ nerves before the World Cup match here by having them walk around Edgbaston barefooted. It did not work.
Paine attempted to play down the Edgbaston factor. When asked if this is the most intimidating ground he has played at he said: “Than this? I could name you 15.” After laying down the gauntlet to the locals in such a way, Paine will be happy over the next few days that he is a wicketkeeper and does not have to field on the fence in front of the Hollies Stand.
“England haven’t lost here in how long? I don’t even know, I haven’t looked at it and it doesn’t concern us,” he said.
“We know we’ve got our plans individually, we’ve got our plans as a team and it’s about us going out there on Thursday and executing those skills. If we do that it doesn’t matter if we’re playing at Edgbaston, the Gabba or the Moon.”
Paine has also introduced football-style handshakes with opposing teams before Tests and will do so at Edgbaston although it is understood England captain Joe Root is not so keen on the ritual.
Usman Khawaja is back at No3 for Australia after injury, and Cameron Bancroft will open with David Warner. Steve Smith is at four and, like Warner and Bancroft, playing his first Test since his ban.
All of a sudden Australia are a side with a stronger top order than England. Their bowling has real menace and Paine has the luxury of being able to leave out Mitchell Starc and still have an attack the envy of other teams. Pat Cummins and James Pattinson will play, while the final call for the last fast-bowling slot is between Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood and Starc.