PAINE NO MORE AS TIM GETS JOB DONE
IT WAS the stumping that polarised one debate but crystallised another.
Moeen Ali might have every right to feel unlucky at having his pocket picked by Tim Paine, however, the dramatic turning point in the first Test was undeniably a moment of affirmation for Australia’s new wicketkeeper.
The lightning glovework from Paine to whip the bails off like he was flicking a light switch, backed up national selector Trevor Hohns’ explanation that Australia has picked the country’s best keeper and left England virtually dead in the water.
The stumping was as close as it gets and one of the key moments of the Test as England set Australia only 170 to win.
Former players Ian Healy and Michael Clarke thought the benefit of the doubt should have gone with Ali due to the inconclusiveness of the replays.
“I disagree with that decision, Heals,” Clarke said on Channel Nine.
“I thought he had something just behind the line and I thought the benefit of the doubt had to go to the batsman. That’s a huge wicket.”
Shane Warne, Michael Slater and Michael Vaughan went the other way, believing there was no doubt at all.
“There is not enough reason to do anything other than give that out,” said Warne. “I don’t think he had anything behind the line whatsoever.”
Social media went into meltdown analysing the thickness and apparent wonkiness of the line, which ground staff quickly repainted at the next drinks break.
“We also reckon it is the thickest crease line that we have ever seen,” said Vaughan with a smile.
Like good football referees and umpires, the mark of a good ’keeper is you barely notice they’re there.