Newly appointed Australian skipper Tim Paine thinks his side needs a change in culture moving forward after the 3-1 series defeat at the hands of South Africa.

Australia was shaken by the ball-tampering controversy. Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft faced a ban, leaving the Australian side in deep trouble before the last match of the series.

Even coach Darren Lehmann resigned from his role. Paine is excited about playing with a new coach going forward. He thinks they will take this opportunity for a new start. "It’s an exciting time, we are going to have a new coach and a new brand and culture," Paine told reporters after the 492-run fourth test loss on Tuesday.

"With the guys being out at the moment, there is also a chance for others to step up and play an extended period of test cricket. There are lots of positives and messages that we can take out of it (the series) and it’ll be good to get home, have a rest and think about it."

Paine added that the controversy has opened their eyes. Aussies thought they can behave like they want, but a backlash from the public has turned everything around for them. 

"We have to listen," Paine said. "We have potentially had our heads in the sand over the last 12 months that if we continue to win we can act and behave how we like and the Australian public will be OK with that.

"We have found out in the last month that the Australian public don’t like the way we go about it, so it is pretty simple, we have to improve our behaviour."

Both the teams did a handshake before the fourth Test. Paine had tried to show more respect to opponents on the field. No wonder South Africans were surprised. "It was evident in this match that we have changed somewhat and that will continue to happen. We’ve got a new coach coming in at some stage and he will have a huge say on how that is,” Paine said.

"We have to find the fine line between being really respectful of the opposition and also being at a level that is really competitive, as you should be in test cricket.

"It is going to be a different style than a lot of the guys are used to, but I think we will find it pretty quickly. A lot of us have to step up and take the slack, but I think Australia has got the talent, we just have to harness it properly and if we do we will be OK."