BRISBANE, Jan 13: Australia coach Justin Langer on Wednesday unequivocally supported his under-fire skipper Tim Paine, calling him an “outstanding leader”, who will remain in the top job for some more time despite his poor keeping and unsportsmanlike conduct in the third Test against India.
Paine was heavily criticised for sledging and yelling at Ravichandran Ashwin who battled pain and aches to help India draw the match on the fifth and final in Sydney.
He also dropped three catches at crucial junctures. But Paine has “100 per cent” backing of his coach.
“You have no idea how much faith I have in Tim Paine, he did not have his best day, no doubt about that, but after three years he has been outstanding as the Australian captain, everything he does,” Langer said during a virtual press conference.
The chief coach was speaking two days ahead of the series-deciding fourth and final Test here.
“He (Paine) had a frustrating day, that cut him some slack surely. But having said that when you set a standard as high as he does and as we do, we understand when you are criticised when we fall below that,” added Langer.
On Tuesday, Paine himself apologised for his on-field behaviour on the final day at the SCG, saying his leadership was not good enough and he ended “looking like a fool” by sledging Ashwin.
Langer lauded Paine for coming out publicly and issuing an apology. (PTI)
