NO PAINE, NO GAIN
SHOULD Tim Paine stay on as captain of Australia’s Test team this summer?
For all-rounder Mitch Marsh, the answer is a nobrainer.
“Well, he’s the first captain to bring the Ashes home after 20 years, so I think he’s doing a pretty good job,” Marsh said.
“We love Painey. He’s a great man, and he’s a very good leader. He cost me a wicket with the DRS, but I’ll let him slide for that one.”
Questions about Paine’s future as captain have arisen after his relatively lean run with the bat during the Ashes and some poor decisions.
Paine’s wasted review during a crucial moment in the heartbreaking third Test loss to England will haunt him forever.
And his decision to bowl first in the final Test — which England won to level the series at 2-2 — also raised eyebrows.
Paine, who averaged just 20 during the Ashes, has declared that he has unfinished business as Test captain.
And the 34-year-old’s efforts to lift Australia out of the doldrums after the sandpaper scandal means he will forever hold a special place in cricket history.
Most of the 16 Australian players who featured in the Ashes series will be rested for the start of the domestic One Day Cup, which gets under way on Saturday when WA hosts Victoria at the WACA Ground.
But Marsh, who only returned to Perth yesterday, is keen to be thrust straight back into playing duties.
Marsh ran the drinks for most of the Ashes series before getting a call-up for the final Test.
The 27-year-old made the most of his international return, snaring 5-46 and 2-40 in his finest bowling display.
Marsh lost his spot in Australia’s side in all three formats last summer, and he’s keen to cement his place again.
But as for becoming Australia’s version of Ben Stokes?
“I want to be Mitch Marsh, I don’t want to be anyone else,” Marsh said.
“It’s the same old story: I’m trying to become the best cricketer I can be every day, to get better every day, and hopefully I can perform for WA to make sure I play more games for Australia in the future.
“Dealing with certain pressures in Test match cricket — I can certainly get better at that.
“I think my technique has tightened up as a batsman. Now it’s about turning my starts into big scores.
“I’ve got myself a lot fitter over the past six months, to the point where I feel really good with the ball in my hand and I can be a real threat with that.”