Australia coach Justin Langer rushes to defence of Tim Paine and ‘quirky’ Steve Smith as star men face serious gamesmanship criticism against India
- Tim Paine has been criticised for abusive sledging of Ravichandran Ashwin
- Steve Smith likewise has been accused trying to erase Rishabh Pant’s guard
- Australia coach Justin Langer has backed the character of both his players
- Langer says Smith is ‘quirky’ and such things are just part of his game
Australia coach Justin Langer has backed Tim Paine’s leadership and described media criticism of Steve Smith as ‘rubbish’ after the batsman faced accusations of gamesmanship in the wake of the third test against India.
Skipper Paine has been under fire from former players and pundits for abusive sledging of Ravichandran Ashwin as the India spinner batted on the tense final day of the draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Langer said Paine, who apologised for his conduct on Tuesday, had fallen short of the team’s standards in Sydney but had barely put a ‘hair out of place’ in nearly three years leading the team.
Australia coach Justin Langer (left) won’t have a word said against Tim Paine (right)
‘He has been outstanding as the Australian captain in everything he does,’ Langer told reporters on Wednesday.
‘He had a frustrating day. We’ve got to cut him some slack, surely.
‘(He’s an) outstanding leader and will continue to be for some time to come yet … He has my 100% support.’
Paine had a barbed exchange with Ashwin that was picked up by the stump microphone
Paine (left) clashed with Indian batsman Ravi Ashwin (right) during ill-tempered third Test
Smith has been under scrutiny after video footage from the stump camera in Sydney showed him dragging his boot across the batting crease as Australia tried to bowl India out on day five.
Former players accused him of trying to erase Rishabh Pant’s guard but Smith said he was just marking centre as he would normally do if he was batting.
Langer refuted any suggestion Smith was seeking an advantage.
‘Absolute load of rubbish. If anyone knows Steve Smith, he’s a bit quirky and we’ve all laughed about it for the past couple of years,’ he said.
‘Anyone who suggests for one millisecond he was trying to do something untoward, they are way out of line.
‘Give me a break.’
Steve Smith was at the centre of more controversy three years after the ball tampering scandal
Stump camera picked up Smith appearing to scuff up the batsman’s guard mark with his boots
The series is level at 1-1 heading into the final test in Brisbane on Friday.
Langer said opening batsman David Warner, who made five and 13 in Sydney and was hampered by his groin injury, would be fit to play at the Gabba.
However, rookie opener Will Pucovski remained a doubt after injuring his shoulder in the field in Sydney.
‘We’re really hopeful he’ll get up, if he doesn’t the obvious thing will be Marcus Harris will come in to open,’ said Langer.