Tim Paine finally registered his first Test win as captain. It was a clinical effort from his teammates as Australia thrashed India by 146 runs in the second Test to level the four-match series.
Chasing 287, India resumed the final day on a precarious 115 for 5. Rishabh Pant and Hanuma Vihari had started the proceedings with the bat. But the writing was very much on the wall when both the batsmen departed inside 40 minutes. India eventually lost their last five wickets for just 21 runs. The visitors were dismissed for 140, with spinner Nathan Lyon claiming 3/39 to finish with eight wickets for the match and guide the home team to a drought-breaking success, their first in seven Tests spanning almost 10 months.
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It was Paine’s first Test win in five matches since taking over from the suspended Steve Smith in South Africa. Paine draw praise from all over for his captaincy. But that was not the only reason Paine was praised for. The Australia star also received some kind words for the matured way in which he dealt with India’s aggressive sledging. The skipper was constantly targeted by his Indian counterpart Virat Kohli. However, Paine did not lose his cool and gave a fitting reply whenever the situation demanded.
The calm-natured Australia wicketkeeper had later said he wanted to stand up for his team and teammates.
“At times you have got to draw a line and start sticking up for yourself and sticking up for your teammates,” Paine had told reporters after the win.
“We’re really passionate about playing for Australia and we’re certainly not going to sit back and be walked all over,” he had added.
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Well, Paine’s latest confrontation, this time with an Indian fan, once again proves that he knows how to deal with unpleasant situations.
It all began when Australian cricketers Travis Birt, Peter Siddle and Paine were having an conversation on Twitter before an Indian fan jumped in started abusing Paine. Birt constantly defended Paine before the latter ended the drama with a brilliant reply. The fan eventually had to take down his first tweet in which he had abused Paine.
Here is a thread of that conversation:
Whilst he’s may be a renowned bandwagoner…..The truth is he’s extremely tight and loves free stuff.. #seethebombersflyup pic.twitter.com/UJLmsno1KR
— Travis Birt (@T_Bird81) December 14, 2018
Keeping in the family with the giants there Trav……
— Tim Paine (@tdpaine36) December 15, 2018
The Indian fan then wrote “useless mf Tim Paine”
Birt then defended his compatriot, writing:
That’s a bit harsh…. He good man and now KING PAINE!
— Travis Birt (@T_Bird81) December 18, 2018
In reply, the fan wrote:” I will stone his head when he visit India”
Birt replied:
You throw a stone better than Kohli throw a tantrum?
— Travis Birt (@T_Bird81) December 18, 2018
Infuriated with Birt’s replies, the fan posted:
“That useless mf Paine must know what is the power of guy with 63 international 100s at age of 30
Eagerly waiting for his visit to India”
Birt then took a dig at the fan, writing:
Yeah, but how many stumpings does he have?
— Travis Birt (@T_Bird81) December 18, 2018
“How can anyone clearly know that b*stards name?? He played 16 or 17 tests till now
That unknown b*stard will remain unknown foreveraptain who avg 30 in first class ??,” wrote the fan.
Birt replied:
An Australian cricket captain in a country with a population of 25 mill….. OR just another salty Indian fan boy in a population of a billion….. I think I know who will remain unknown forever #kingpaine
— Travis Birt (@T_Bird81) December 19, 2018
With Birt clearly winning the exchanges, the fan wrote: “I will smash that useless little b*stard ask him to visit India”
This is when Paine ended the whole drama by just writing:
Settle down Rajesh
— Tim Paine (@tdpaine36) December 20, 2018