On the back of Alex Carey's surging form in the Big Bash League and Steve Smith's leadership ban coming to an end after the Sydney Test, rumours of 35-year-old Paine's axing or retirement have swirled constantly.

"There's been conjecture from outside, there's never been one millisecond of conjecture from within our team - he's almost our most important player," the former opening batsman said.

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"He's a very good leader, his captaincy has been excellent, he's the best wicket-keeper in the world, he's as fit as anyone in the group and we know, if he believed he could bat as well as we think he can, then you'll see results like we saw in the last Test match."

"There's always a bit of conjecture but certainly not within our camp, he's so important to us.

"I hope he plays for as long as he can because his leadership has been excellent."

Claiming eight dismissals in his side's most-recent New Zealand clash as well as scoring 79 with the bat, his second-highest Test score after 92 against India in 2010, Langer suggested Paine was pushing man of the match status behind Travis Head.

"I literally can't think of one reason at the moment, and he's so fit, why he couldn't play for as long as he wants and needs to."

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