Tim Paine has refuted Jofra Archer’s claim that Australia panicked as Ben Stokes led England to victory at Headingley – but admits he made”mistakes” as the vacationers spurned the chance to retain the Ashes.
Australia had England nine wickets down with 73 runs needed from the next Test in Leeds however a combo of Stokes’ brilliant 135 not out, a dropped catch, a collapsed workout and wasted testimonials viewed the hosts pull off a remarkable win and keep the show alive.
Wondering if Australia had choked, skipper Paine, talking before the fourth Test at Old Trafford, said:”No. I’ve addressed it. Jofra is entitled to his view – he’s had lots.
“We made some mistakes, it occurs – we’ve addressed it as a team and talked about it honestly. I was among those folks who made errors, I’d have done some things with my subject placings.
“There were also times, looking back , where it was evident I must have had the field up and enabled Ben to strike a few bounds so that we had balls in the tailender (Jack Leach).
“That is the most important thing I’d have done differently. It occurs in cricket and we have proceeded, learnt from it, and we are ready for yet another great Test match.”
When he picked up seven wickets in the innings a week thrashing of Derbyshire quick Mitchell Starc could be handed his very first look of the series by australia.
Starc Seems to be obsessed with James Pattinson rested with Peter Siddle for the closing place alongside Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood and is at a squad.
Usman Khawaja was axed, though, after averaging 20.33 from the No 3 berth at the series up to now, with a top score of 40.
About Starc’s chances of playing at Manchester, Paine said:”They are good. He is therefore he is close. We will have a look at the wicket – it has a little pace within it and it appears dry.
“Starcy bowled superbly last week at Derby. He has been working on getting his span right very hard and we were very impressed.
“We know what he could do to tail-end batters when he cranks it up. The boys have been calling ‘the mop’ for a couple of years now.
“He’s is a fantastic choice for us. We believe this wicket may suit him and, if we make that call, we are convinced he will do a terrific job.”
Paine added on Khawaja being the man to miss out with Steve Smith now fit to come back after a concussion. “Usman is an integral player but he has not scored the runs he or we would like.
“With Smith coming back it was a difficult choice to create Usman.
“We think he has a lot of cricket left in him. He’s had a very good Test record over his career and we all hope he will bounce back quite strongly.”
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