Tim Paine apologises for Ashwin comments at SCG

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.