Australian veteran coach Dav Whatmore has backed the long-term captaincy of Tim Paine, who has steered the Australia team during turbulent times with authority.
Paine is the stand-in captain for Australia after Steve Smith and David Warner were suspended for 12 months for their roles in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa earlier in the year. When their suspensions end next year, Smith will have to wait one year before being considered for a leadership role while Warner has been banned from captaincy for life.
Paine, who was one the verge of quitting cricket and taking up a corporate job at equipment giants Kookaburra, has marshalled his troops well since taking over the role. His Australian team earned a respectable draw in the Dubai Test against Pakistan in October and have now squared the four-Test series against India at home 1-1 after a close defeat in Adelaide and a thumping win in Perth.
Whatmore, who has coached Sri Lanka, Pakistan and is currently guiding the Kerala state Ranji Trophy team in India, said Paine has done admirably in the hot seat and should find himself in that role in the longer run.
“Yes, I think so (Paine deserves longer run). Steve Smith will came right back in; he may need a few side games. He won’t get the leadership, I am pretty sure about it. Paine has done a very good job with the team he has got,” Whatmore, who was in Dubai to oversee a special winter training camp by Kricket’s Spero, told Sport360.
“In the short space of time, he has created a very positive image, trying to change the culture and what the team stands for. He himself has also been very strong. He won’t take a backward step but he is doing it the right way.”
Whatmore said the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is turning out to be a lot more competitive than some expected because of Australia’s strong bowling attack.
“You have got a good team travelling well, in India. And you have a team at home who are used to the conditions better. Now you have a good competition going. One-all, it will be a beauty at Melbourne. Batting has let Australia down. Still there is a long way to go for it to be a good Australian batting team. But it is even. The contest is lot closer than most people think,” he added.
