Tim Paine has refuted Jofra Archer’s claim that Australia panicked as Ben Stokes led England to victory in Headingley – but admits that he made”mistakes” as the tourists spurned the chance to retain the Ashes.
Australia’d England nine wickets down with 73 runs needed in the third Test in Leeds however a combination of Stokes’ brilliant 135 not out, a dropped catch, a failed run out and wasted reviews watched the hosts pull off a remarkable win and keep the chain alive.
Wondering if Australia had choked, skipper Paine, speaking ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, said:”No. I’ve addressed it previously. Jofra is entitled to his opinion – he’s had plenty of these, that’s for certain.
“We made some mistakes, it happens – we have addressed it as a team and talked about it frankly. I was one of those men and women who made mistakes, I’d have done some things differently.
“There were also times, looking back , at which it was obvious I must have had the field up and allowed Ben to strike a few boundaries so that we had balls at the tailender (Jack Leach).
“That’s the major thing I’d have done differently. It happens in cricket and we have moved on, learnt by it, and we are prepared for yet another great Test match.”
Australia can hand left-arm quick Mitchell Starc his first appearance of the show when he picked up seven wickets in the innings thrashing of Derbyshire.
Starc is at a 12-man squad and Seems to be vying with Peter Siddle for the final place alongside Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
Usman Khawaja has been axed, however, after averaging 20.33 from the No 3 berth at the series so far, with a top rating of 40.
About Starc’s chances of playing at Manchester, Paine stated:”They are good. He is so he is shut. We will have a look at the wicket – it appears dry and it has got a little pace.
“Starcy bowled superbly last week at Derby. He has been working extremely hard on getting his length and we were very impressed.
“We know what he could do to tail-end batters when he cranks it up. The boys have been calling him’the mop’ for a few decades now.
“He’s is a wonderful alternative for us. We believe this wicket may suit him and, should we make that call, we are convinced he’ll do a wonderful job.”
Paine added on Khawaja being the man with Steve Smith currently fit to return following a concussion to miss out. “Usman is an integral player but he has not scored the runs he or we’d like.
“With Smith coming back it was a difficult decision to create Usman.
“We still think he has a lot of cricket left in him. He’s had an excellent Test recording over his career and we hope he will bounce back quite closely.”
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