Michael Clarke fumes as Trevor Hohns admits Tim Paine’s captaincy wasn’t discussed
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has hit out at an admission by national selector Trevor Hohns that Tim Paine’s leadership wasn’t discussed following the series loss to India.
Paine’s captaincy has been questioned in the wake of the 2-1 defeat, notably after the side failed to bowl India out on day five in both Sydney and Brisbane. Paine’s wicketkeeping has also been scrutinised after he dropped three chances at the SCG.
The skipper admitted he didn’t have the best summer with the gloves, but it was his captaincy that raised eyebrows around the country.
Former captain Mark Taylor, while supporting Paine’s retention as skipper, believes he needs to be more flexible in the field, rather than sticking rigidly to the pre-prepared plan.
aylor noted that on the final day in Brisbane, with Australia’s frontline bowlers struggling to take wickets, Cameron Green bowled only three overs and Marnus Labuschagne just one.
Taylor, who was renowned for his ability to conjure a wicket from part-time bowlers like Michael Bevan, would have liked to see Labuschagne, in particular, given more overs, a point backed up by Ian Chappell.
But when the squad for the upcoming series against South Africa was unveiled yesterday, Hohns went into bat for Paine.
