Tim Paine’s leadership this summer has been first class: Brad Haddin

What has pleased Haddin has been the manner in which Paine has marshalled his team.

After the ball-tampering scandal that rocked Australian cricket, the team, and in particular, captain Tim Paine, have punched above their weight, specially when the team were missing stars like Steve Smith and David Warner – serving suspensions for their involvement in the infamous fiasco at Cape Town in March last year.

In the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, the hosts crushed a hapless Sri Lanka side by an innings and 40 runs and are currently on the cusp of winning a series whitewash.

Former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin feels that while Australian cricket is still recuperating from the aftermath of the incident, it has been the leadership of Paine that has really stood out. (ALSO READ: Usman Khawaja ends frustrating period with emphatic hundred)

“His leadership has been first class with the way he has handled himself around the group, where he has been really clear on the identity of the Australian cricket team and what are the standards and behaviours expected of the guys at this level,” Haddin was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday.

“From a performance point of view, I said to him the other day after Brisbane, ‘you moved as well as I’ve ever seen you move’. That’s a huge statement because since he has come back into the Test team, his performance all-round, and especially with the gloves, has been outstanding.” (ALSO READ: I don’t need to listen to all the outside noise: Mitchell Starc)

Paine’s career took a major turn after he over the reins from Smith. He first had a terrible run with injuries. He broke his right index finger in the Australian Cricketers’ Association All-Stars T20 game in 2010 and has since then, has a plate inserted. A spate of injuries almost forced him to take up a job at apparel manufacturer Kookaburra before he was recalled before the Ashes 2017-18 that would give him a chance to revive his career.

What has pleased Haddin has been the manner in which Paine has marshalled his team.

“It’s hard to captain as a keeper, I found it quite hard to do. Talking to other past keepers, it is a tough job to do but I think Tim has handled his performance and the way he has led with high class.

“It’s been great to sit back and have some small part in watching him develop over the past few years. He’s had a horrible run with injuries and this is just reward for persistence and never giving up.”

Paine has had five operations on his finger, with the last two seeing a bone taken first from his wrist and his hip to help finger be together. (ALSO READ: Greg Chappell must step aside as Australia selector with immediate effect: Simon Katich)

“It’s a great lesson for anyone playing the game. I know one thing he is big on is turning up every day to get better and better. Who knows what’ll happen, who knows what’s in front of you?” said Haddin.

“He’s just a great pin-up for that with where he has been with his injuries. I take my hat off and wish him every success he can get.”