Former Test batsman Peter Handscomb labels scathing criticism of Australia captain Tim Paine ‘an absolute joke’
Former Test batsman Peter Handscomb has labelled the avalanche of criticism dumped on Australia captain Tim Paine “an absolute joke”, in the wake of the Border-Gavaskar series defeat to India.
Cricket greats Sunil Gavaskar, Michael Vaughan, Kevin Pietersen and Darren Gough have all delivered Paine a hellacious roasting, while former Australia heroes Mark Taylor, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Brett Lee have remained much more measured but picked out faults of their own.
An astonished cricket world watched on as India, despite being without seven of their first-choice players, pulled off a three-wicket win in enthralling scenes late on day five at The Gabba.
The win consigned Australia to their first defeat at the Brisbane venue since 1988, in which a West Indies side packed with legends of the game had stormed to a nine-wicket win.
But Handscomb has been left dumbfounded at the extraordinary amount of backlash Paine has copped.
“I can’t believe the fallout from this Test is his captaincy. That’s just an absolute joke,” Handscomb said.
“The poor guy’s batting beautifully, making some good runs, taking the game on and leading with that intent, which is really good to see.
