Australia Test skipper Tim Paine knows that he is entering the twilight of his career. The wicketkeeper, who had made his Test debut in 2010 against Pakistan in England, saw himself getting sidelined as he struggled with injuries.
After reinjuring his finger in 2010 and 2011, he was looking at the end of his cricket career. But after successful surgery on the digit, he made a comeback to the team in 2017 Ashes after a 7-year absence. He continued to keep well behind the stumps while contributing with the bat as well.
Meanwhile, the Cape Town Test against South Africa in 2018 where David Warner, Cameron Bancroft and then captain Steve Smith were found tampering with the ball and banned for varied periods; Paine was chosen to lead the Australia team in interim and he did wade them through a difficult time.
Tim Paine gets support from Adam Gilchrist amid talks of uncertain future
But at the age of 35 and Steve Smith returning back to the team and to form with the bat; Paine knows his time is ending shortly and has said that the upcoming Test series against Pakistan and New Zealand may be the last time he captains the side at home.
"It might be (my last summer), I'm not too sure. But... I'm enjoying doing it. I feel good physically (and) mentally. So, while that continues, I'm scoring enough runs and keeping well enough then I'd like to continue. I know when you get to my age that can change really quickly. I'm really looking forward to this summer, beyond that I haven't looked too far. I know what I want to do and what I want to achieve,” said Paine.
“I think when you're the Australian captain and the Australian keeper, they're two of the most critiqued roles in Australian sport and at the moment I have to hold them both. I know I'm going to be in the crosshairs for people all the time,” he further added.
Meanwhile, Paine said that his top priority is to take Australia back to no.1 position in ICC Test rankings and win the World Test Championship (WTC). Australia is ranked fifth in the world and trail leaders India by 244 points in the WTC standings.
Australia plays Pakistan in the first of two Tests that begins on Thursday in Brisbane.
(Reuters inputs)
