AUSTRALIA TOUR OF INDIA 2020-21
“We know he’s tough as nails and that he’ll do a good job no matter where he hits.” – Tim Paine on Mattthew Wade © Getty
Though Tim Paine has a “number of guys willing to open batting,” he has reiterated his faith in Joe Burns and hinted that Matthew Wade is “tough as nails” as his potential opening partner for the day and night opener. in Adelaide.
Paine also hopes Steve Smith will be fit and available tomorrow, rather than calling the stiff back a “blessing in disguise” because it would give Australia’s best hitter the much-needed rest.
“Talking to Joe, I don’t think he lacks confidence. He has been looking forward to this Test Match. His accumulation in terms of runs has not been great, but if you look at the work he has done solely in Test cricket for this team it has been very , very good. He averages just over 40 in test cricket, “Paine said.
“If Joe goes out batting tomorrow, we have every confidence that he will get the job done, there’s no question about that. Stability on good cricket teams, on good sports teams, is really important. That’s something we’ve tried to build over the years. last years. Two years is trying to have that stability around the selection, that takes away the concern of certain players. ”
The Australian captain failed to confirm the eleven on the eve of the match, preferring to keep the team composition “internally” for the time being. But he seemed absolutely certain that Smith will actually take the field against India tomorrow despite a sore back that prevented him from hitting in the nets on December 15.
“Dave won’t be there, but we hope Steve will be there. Steve has had a stiff back several times before and you do it when you hit in practice as much as he does. But his preparation has been very good, he has hit last. week since we were in Adelaide, so for him having a day off could be a blessing in disguise yesterday.
“He’s played all the one-dayers. Once we got to Adelaide he hit for four days in a row, so his preparation has been pretty good … very good actually. He’s been in the middle of the Adelaide Oval, hitting under the lights. . him to play. He’s had a stiff back before. Yesterday was more precautionary; he’s going to train today so we’ll see how he does, but yeah, come tomorrow, whether he’s fit and sore in the back, or stiff in the back – I think he usually gets up, gets over it and finds a way to score runs like he always does. ”
Paine praised Wade’s willingness to open batting despite never having done so in a first-class game, indicating that his inclusion as a starter is likely if not confirmed.
“Look, he (Wade) certainly is an option to open batting. There’s no question about that. I think we have a number of guys who are willing to open batting. That says a lot about our group, not just Wadey. But Wadey in particular, we saw him against New Zealand last year with the short ball, he’s willing to put his body on the line for his team. We know he’s tough as nails and that he’ll do a good job no matter where he hits. He’s been hitting. Nice. Obviously we have a scenario where we could have a different first game and we’ve had a number of guys raise their hands to do it if that’s the best for the team. That’s a great thing for us as a side, “he said. Paine.
© Cricbuzz
