'Great opportunity' for Australia's new boys, says Paine

Image
AFP Dubai
Last Updated : Oct 06 2018 | 8:10 PM IST

Australian captain Tim Paine hopes his team will move on from the ball-tampering row and start a new era when they face Pakistan in the first Test in Dubai on Sunday.

Australian cricket was rocked by the ball-tampering row in the Cape Town Test against South Africa in March this year, the fallout resulting in year-long bans for then captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner.

Opening batsman Cameron Bancroft, caught by television cameras using sandpaper to try and scuff up the ball, was suspended for nine months.

It also led to coach Darren Lehmann stepping down and being replaced by Justin Langer, with both the new coach and Paine promising to reshape the culture around the team.

"I think what happened was unfortunate but we have to move on. We are fortunate enough to be getting back together after what happened," Paine said on Saturday.

Wicketkeeper Paine assumed the captaincy midway through the scandal-hit Cape Town match, and took the first step to improve Australia's public image in the next Test at Johannesburg by introducing a pre-match handshake with the South African players.

Both teams will also shake hands ahead of the Dubai Test, with Aaron Finch, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne all set to make their Test debuts for Australia.

"It's a great opportunity for some new players, new coach, but still the Australian Test team hasn't changed. It's a little bit of a new era, but we are hopeful that the guys who were involved will be back in the next six or eight months," said Paine of the banned trio.

Australia face a trial by spin as has so often been the case on their tours to Asia.

In the space of six years, they have lost 12 of their 15 Tests -- recording only two wins with one draw -- on tours of India (twice), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates.

- 'Phenomenal record' -
=======================

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

More From This Section

First Published: Oct 06 2018 | 8:10 PM IST

Next Story