Tim Paine, Australia Test captain urged premier batsman Steve Smith not to rush his comeback from injury to ensure he is fit for the Ashes, even it means missing the Twenty20 World Cup.
Steve Smith is a crucial cog in Australia’s drive to retain the urn after their gripping 2019 series in England, where he was the standout performer on his return from a ban for ball-tampering.
Tim Paine: It’s Important Steve Smith Is Fit And Play The Ashes Even At The Expense Of T20I World Cup
Despite bearing the brunt of hostile English fans, he smashed an incredible 774 runs in four Tests, at an average of 110.57, including twin centuries on his Test return at Edgbaston. But he is struggling with an elbow injury after changing his batting grip, which has ruled him out of Australia’s current limited-overs tour of the West Indies.
Steve Smith stressed last week that Test cricket was his priority, and he was prepared to skip the T20 World Cup in October-November. Star batsman Steve Smith was not included in the squad as he is yet to fully recover from an elbow injury that flared up during the IPL 2021.
“What’s important for me is that he’s fit to go, whether that’s at the T20 World Cup or the Ashes,” Paine said on a Zoom call.
“Obviously from a selfish point of view, I would love him to be 100 percent fit and if that means he misses that tournament (World Cup) then so be it. But Steve is a professional, he’ll know where his body is at and if he doesn’t feel like he’s right then he’ll make the right call,” he added.
“It’s important now that he takes the time to get it right, not just for the Ashes but to prolong his career for another four or five or six years.”
Australia will head into the England Ashes series 2021/22 having played just one Test, against minnows Afghanistan, since last summer after calling off tours this year to Bangladesh and South Africa over coronavirus concerns.
Tim Paine Hopes To See Barmy Army Cheering
But Tim Paine was not concerned about being accustomed to the conditions in Australia.
“We know the conditions here, we know what to expect in Australia,” he said.
Tickets went on sale Monday and many were snapped up with Brisbane and Perth, in particular, doing a roaring trade. The opening Test starts at the Gabba on December 8. The series then moves to Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney before concluding in Perth. Venues are being sold to full capacity, with the exception of the Melbourne Cricket Ground which has an 85 per cent limit currently.
Whether the usual hordes of Barmy Army supporters will be able to travel to Australia, given current bans on international arrivals, remains to be seen. Tim Paine hoped they open up the borders to allow the Barmy Army which is a crucial part of the Ashes history.
“Absolutely, I hope they do open up (the borders) because they bring a brilliant atmosphere,” he said of the English fans. The Barmy Army is a crucial part of the history of the Ashes and something the players love, whether they’re ripping into you or barracking for the English. It adds to the Test match, to the theatre, so fingers crossed those guys can get in.”
Tim Paine’s captaincy and his wicket-keeping standards have come under severe criticism ever since India thrashed Australia 2-1 in the recently-concluded 4 match Test series. Tim Paine has led his country to 11 wins, four draws, and eight defeats. Under Tim Paine’s leadership, Australia has retained the Ashes and won 11 of 23 matches, but has lost two successive home series to India.