ENG v AUS 2018: Tim Paine's future in Australian ODI team under scrutiny

Paine led the Australian team admirably but his numbers as a player were disastrous.

Tim Paine's place in the ODI side is under scrutiny after he averaged just 7 with the bat. (Getty)

Tim Paine's future in the limited overs side is under very critical observation after the interim captain conceded that he hasn't contributed the way he would've liked as a player and is extremely disappointed about the losing margin of 5-0 against England. 

After Australia's saddening loss at the Old Trafford, Paine said, "It's been difficult, you play cricket to do well and this series I haven't done that, I haven’t played anywhere near as well as I would have liked to. That happens and it's certainly not through a lack of effort, I am trying my guts out and working really hard, I have just had one of those series. I started off poorly and couldn't get it back on track."

Paine is right. His captaincy and leadership of a young and inexperienced squad was commendable but as a player, he failed disastrously. His performances were important to his future as a captain. 

National Selector Trevor Hohns, at the time of announcing the squad for the tour, had said, "Tim is a strong leader and will captain the side for this series, supported by Aaron (Finch). A decision on a permanent one-day captain will be made in due course."

Paine is aware, Australia's next one-day assignment is in November and it is ill-advised to worry about the future in the modern day game. 

He further said, "I haven't thought about it to be honest. All I know is I was coming here to do this series and I've said a few times before when you are my age it's a bit foolish to look ahead, Certainly, I am really looking forward to captaining the Test team and continuing how I have been playing in that format. But where I go with the rest of my cricket is something we will discuss in the coming weeks."

Paine will not be taking the field in the One-off T20I, where Aaron Finch will lead the side. If the results in the upcoming T20 Internationals impress the selectors, Finch is the likely candidate to lead the ODI in the immediate future without Steve Smith. 

(Inputs from Cricket.com.au)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 25 Jun, 2018

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