Tim Paine has refuted Jofra Archer’s claim that Australia panicked as Ben Stokes led England to victory at Headingley – but admits he made”errors” as the vacationers spurned the opportunity to keep the Ashes.
Australia had England nine wickets down with 73 runs required in the next Test in Leeds however a blend of Stokes’ brilliant 135 not out, a dropped catch, a failed workout and wasted testimonials watched the hosts pull off a remarkable win and keep the series alive.
Asked whether Australia had choked, skipper Paine, talking before the fourth Test at Old Trafford, said:”No. I have addressed it previously. Jofra is entitled to his view – he has had plenty.
“We made some errors, it occurs – we have addressed it as a staff and talked about it frankly. I was among those men and women who made errors, I’d have done a few things differently.
“There were instances, looking back , at which it was apparent I must have had up the field and allowed Ben to strike a couple of bounds so we had balls at the tailender (Jack Leach).
“That is the main thing I would have done differently. It occurs in cricket and we have moved on, learnt by it, and we are prepared for another fantastic Test match.”
Fast Mitchell Starc could be handed his first look of the show by australia after he picked up seven wickets in the innings week thrashing of Derbyshire.
Starc Seems to be vying together with James Pattinson rested with Peter Siddle for its final pace-bowling place alongside Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins and is at a squad.
Usman Khawaja was axed, though, after averaging 20.33 from the No 3 berth at the show up to now, with a top score of 40.
On Starc’s chances of playing in Manchester, Paine explained:”They’re great. He is at the 12, therefore he’s close. We’ll have another look in the wicket – it has got a bit of pace and it appears fairly dry.
“Starcy bowled beautifully last week at Derby. He has been working on getting his span right, very hard and we were very impressed.
“We all know what he could do to tail-end batters when he cranks up it. The boys have been calling ‘the mop’ for a couple of decades now.
“He’s is a wonderful option for us. We think this wicket might suit him , if we make that call, we are sure he will do a fantastic job.”
Paine added on Khawaja function as guy to miss out with Steve Smith currently fit to come back after a concussion. “Usman is an integral player but he hasn’t scored the runs he or we would like.
“With Smith coming back it was a tough decision to create Usman.
“We still think he has got a great deal of cricket left in him. He’s had an excellent Test recording on his career and we all hope that he will bounce back very closely.”
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