Paine confident to make most of unexpected lifeline

SYDNEY: Tim Paine, Australia’s bombshell Ashes selection, admits to being taken aback by his unexpected Test lifeline but aims to take full advantage of the reprieve.
The 32-year-old was stunningly picked by national selectors last Friday to leapfrog into the wicketkeeper’s role despite being in the Test wilderness for the past seven years. Even more remarkably, Paine has not been keeping for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield this season and contemplated retiring from first-class cricket earlier this year. Paine’s recall has been met with widespread disbelief and cynicism by fans and experts alike, most recently from legendary former captain Allan Border, who labelled the selection as “bizarre”. Despite the scepticism, an unwavering Paine remained confident and believed he was a better player than when he last appeared in Test cricket seven years ago. “I always had faith I would be playing,” he told reporters in Brisbane on Monday (November 20).