Quantcast

Gilchrist sees gain from shock of Paine

One of Australia’s greatest keeper-batsman sees rationale in selectors’ call to include Tasmanian in Ashes squad

Adam Gilchrist admits he was shocked to learn of Tim Paine’s recall to Australia’s Test team for the Magellan Ashes series but claims there’s no reason why the 32-year-old can’t now command the keeper’s role for years to come.

Gilchrist, widely regarded as Australia’s greatest keeper-batsman, also believes the fact that Paine has not taken the gloves at first-class level so far this summer will not dull his skills and match readiness ahead of the first Test that begins at the Gabba tomorrow.

Paine last played a Test in 2010 before suffering a severe finger fracture, and was a surprise selection in the squad for the first two Ashes Tests with the battle for the keeper’s berth expected to be fought between incumbent Matthew Wade, his predecessor Peter Nevill and highly rated prospect Alex Carey.

Paine displays class with unbeaten half-century

But while Gilchrist revealed today that he “was as shocked as anyone” when Paine was named even though his Tasmanian teammate Wade was the state’s preferred keeper in the recent JLT Sheffield Shield fixtures, he understands the rationale behind the selectors’ decision.

In particular, Gilchrist pointed to the efficiency of Paine’s glovework when he was included for two T20 Internationals that Australia played in India last October and the fact that his skills did not wane through fielding in the slips cordon for Tasmania in recent weeks.

“I hadn’t considered Tim Paine to be in the running because he hadn’t been keeping regularly, certainly in first-class cricket,” Gilchrist told cricket.com.au.

“But on reflection, I can see where the selectors are coming from and the value they see in him being in the team.

“I don’t think any of us had stopped to analyse too closely Paine’s keeping in the T20s, and that’s the way of T20 cricket – it’s fast and there’s very little focus on the wicketkeeper.

“But by all reports his keeping has been of a really high standard, and anecdotally I think everyone talks about him easily being on par with the other keepers in the country.

Gilchrist reflects on his Test debut at the Gabba

“So now that he’s back and fit and able to do that job it does make sense that he comes into the reckoning.

“I would think that he’s well and truly up to speed with his keeping match fitness and match awareness, and he’s a very experienced cricketer and a very talented one.

“He kept in the (recent first-class tour) match against England for the Cricket Australia XI, and I believe he kept well and batted well obviously.

“So whether it’s at training or even club cricket, if he’s getting those overs under his belt I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

Paine's sensational catch standing up at stumps

Paine revealed this week that he won’t be content with simply filling the keeper’s role for this Ashes campaign in the absence of one of the other contenders mounting a compelling case to be named, only to hand over the gloves as soon as one of his rivals finds form.

Gilchrist, who was a fixture in Australia’s one-day outfit and was on the cusp of turning 28 when he took over as Test keeper and held the job for nine years, believes that Paine could serve as a long-term option for Australia now that he has overcome the debilitating finger injury.

The former Australia Test captain said that Paine’s exclusion from most of the pre-Ashes selection speculation might work in his favour provided he doesn’t enter tomorrow’s opening Test thinking his recall was due to fortune rather than form.

Gilly reflects on his stunning debut stumping

“There’s no reason why he couldn’t lock it in for a few years,” Gilchrist said.

“I think it’s as much mentally that’s going to be his challenge.

“If he can accept that he is the Test keeper and feel like he belongs there, that will unlock his capabilities but I hope he doesn’t go in there with some sort of inferiority complex that he shouldn’t be there, and it’s been luck.

“Hopefully he can go ‘right, that’s my gig’…. and show everyone how talented he is and fulfill at the back end of his career how we all thought it may pan out many years ago.”

Gilchrist on Australia's top-order shuffle

Gilchrist conceded that the debate over selection that was triggered by the inclusion of Paine and Western Australia pair Shaun Marsh and Cameron Bancroft was understandable, and that first-class players from around Australia had reasonable cause to feel bewildered and aggrieved.

But he added that much of that anxiety could be addressed through more open lines of communication between the National Selection Panel and players on the fringe of the Test team, especially when public discussion focuses on candidates’ age rather than their cricket credentials.

'I'm a massive Shaun Marsh fan': Gilchrist

“I’ve got no doubt there will be cricketers out there feeling confused by the selection process and the messages, I understand that totally,” Gilchrist said.

“But one consistent thing in all selections is that not everyone is going to be always happy, every time.

“So I guess it’s about the communication from the selection panel to the various individuals who feel aggrieved, that have been dropped or have just missed out or been around the fringes.

“I just hope that any player of any age can play Shield cricket, if they’re getting picked for their state, with the hope of being picked for Australia.

Raw vision: Warner's crucial net session in Brisbane

“I don’t know why or where that changed – it shouldn’t be a shock that older players can get picked just like younger players can get picked.

“We don’t want to get too focused on things down the track by fast-tracking the younger kids if there’s still high quality players playing Shield cricket.”

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

Gillette T20 INTL Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21