Paine admits he "let the group down" during the third Australia-India Test after stump microphones picked up several comments directed at Ravichandran Ashwin
Australia captain Tim Paine has apologised for his conduct during the third Australia-India Test at the SCG, admitting he had a "really poor game as a leader."
Paine’s behaviour capped off a poor match for the captain who had been fined 15 per cent of his match fee earlier that day after being found guilty of dissent when appealing to umpire Paul Wilson.
With tensions running high on final day, stump microphones picked up several comments from the wicketkeeper aimed at Ravichandran Ashwin during the 122nd over.
Paine repeatedly mocked Ashwin, commenting "at least my teammates like me, dickhead" and "how many IPL teams wanted you, when you asked every single one of them to have you?"
However, the tactics backfired on Paine who dropped a catch during the following over as Ashwin batted on to secure a hard-fought draw.
Tim Paine fined for dissent after unsuccessful DRS review
On Tuesday morning, a contrite Paine said: "I'm someone who prides themselves on the way I lead this team and yesterday was a poor reflection.
"My leadership wasn't good enough, I let the pressure of the game get to me. It affected my mood and then from there affected my performance.
"I said to our players yesterday 'I've had a really poor game as a leader'. I let our group down. I'm human, I want to apologise for the mistakes that I made."
Paine added that he had spoken to Ashwin after the match and that there were no hard feelings between the pair.
"I ended up looking the fool, didn’t I?" Paine told Ashwin. "You open your mouth and then you drop a catch. We had a bit of a laugh about that."
Australia are scheduled to face India in the fourth and final Test at the Gabba on Friday (January 15), with the series tied at 1-1.
Posted by Angela Trotman on 13/01/2021 at 10:42
What a thoroughly despicable bunch the Australian Team are. As if the ball tampering debacle wasn't enough they now disgrace themselves even further. Swearing at the umpire and using foul language to a member of the opposition makes Paine unfit to be captain. Also it has not taken Smith long to get back to his cheating ways. He is so lucky to still be in the Australian team. This is not the way you represent your country or act as role models for youngsters watching the game.
Posted by Andrew on 12/01/2021 at 17:47
Leopards don't change their spots, do they? This team have been arseholes for 30 years and just can't quite manage to behave like normal people.
Posted by John Richard Cater on 12/01/2021 at 15:00
I hoped that after "sandpaper gate" the Aussies had put all this "verbal cheating" and "unsportsmanlike behaviour" behind them. Apparently not!!! Cricket Australia and the ICC have a lot to answer for in my opinion when it comes to the disciplinary measures handed out to professional cricketers!
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