Tim Paine criticism 'wide of the mark', Wade dropped

The 36-year-old Tasmanian became a lightning rod for criticism following Australia's Border-Gavaskar series loss to an undermanned India this month, in which the hosts dropped a Test at the Gabba for the first time in 32 years.

Paine dropped three catches on day five of the third Test and issued a public apology after a sledging incident with Ravichandran Ashwin in the same game.

He finished the series with 204 runs at 40.80 - an average only bettered by Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne - and became the fastest keeper to 150 dismissals (33 Tests) during the Boxing Day Test.

Cricket Australia's Ben Oliver said Paine had plenty of credits in the bank and was the right choice to lead the team forward.

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"Tim Paine has been an outstanding captain since taking over the Australian men's Test team in incredibly difficult circumstances," Oliver said.

"Tim has the support of the team, the coach and everyone else at Cricket Australia and the result of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series has done nothing to diminish that.

"Tim is in career-best form with the bat and, while the series against India was not his best with the gloves by his own admission, he remains in the top echelon of wicketkeepers globally.

"And as a leader, he has been brilliant. To captain a squad through the many challenges presented by the pandemic - not least the unique pressures of hub life - is no easy task and Tim did that with strength, humility and good humour.

"After a series that attracted so much global interest, it was inevitable there'd be scrutiny. But some of the commentary surrounding Tim and his position as Test captain has been wide of the mark."

Paine was the sole Tasmanian named in the 19-man squad for the tour to South Africa, with fellow gloveman Matthew Wade dropped after making 173 runs at 21.62.

Wade had some consolation in being named vice-captain of the T20 squad which will tour New Zealand next month.