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'Read the room': England savage Tim Paine over Ashes debacle dig

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·5-min read
Aussie Test captain Tim Paine (pictured left) during training and (pictured right) Kevin Pietersen during commentary.
Aussie Test captain Tim Paine (pictured left) has been slammed from Kevin Pietersen (pictured right) and the cricket world over his comments regarding the English cricket team. (Getty Images)

Australian captain Tim Paine has been slammed after his comments regarding Joe Root and the English cricket team's reluctance to Tour Australia for the Ashes due to travel restrictions.

Earlier this week, England captain Root said he was 'desperate' to play in the Ashes but couldn't commit because of the Covid-19 restrictions in place for visitors and their families in Australia.

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Root's uncertainty follows a number of reports about England's participation in cricket's showpiece Test series in doubt over quarantine concessions, biosecurity restrictions, bubble fatigue and family support.

The matter even formed part of the agenda when Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson recently dined in Washington.

However, after Root's recent comments, Paine declared the Ashes would be going ahead on December 8 with or without his opposition captain.

"They'll have a choice to make, you either get on that plane or don't," Australia's captain said on SEN.

"No one is forcing you to come.

"If you don't want to come, don't come.

"The Ashes are going ahead. The first Test is on December 8th, whether Joe is here or not.

"There will be a squad of England players coming here."

Kevin Pietersen and co slam Tim Paine

Paine, who is recovering from neck surgery and expects to play several games for Tasmania before the Ashes begin, cast doubt on whether any Englishman is genuinely unsure about flying out.

"We have not heard one England player come out and say they will not be coming. I think it's been beat up," the wicketkeeper said.

"If you do want to come and represent your country and play in an Ashes series, which Joe Root said 'that's what they all want to do, that's what they dream about doing' then come and do it.

"They all want to come, there's no doubt about that.

"They're trying to get themselves the best possible conditions they can.

Joe Root (pictured left) and Tim Paine (pictured right) pose during the Captain's Photo call at Edgbaston on July 31, 2019 in Birmingham, England.
Tim Paine (pictured right) said the Ashes would be going ahead on December 8, despite Joe Root (pictured left) and the England team's hesitancy. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) (Ryan Pierse via Getty Images)

"But we all are. We don't want to give them poor conditions because we're going to be in the same boat, it'll be worked out."

However, his words didn't sit well with a number of people in the cricket community.

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen hit out at Paine and said it was up to the players if the Ashes would go ahead.

But Pietersen, who played 15 Tests in Australia and also captained England, said there was zero chance he would fly out unless "my family could travel with zero restrictions".

"If you want to know anything on any topic in the world, you just ask Kevin," Paine said.

"He is an expert on everything.

"Kev, mate, leave it to the players. Let them speak."

Others slammed Paine, considering England has played the most Test matches abroad since the Covid-19 pandemic.

While Australia has yet to play a Test away from home.

Australia and England's multi-format stars will take part in the Twenty20 World Cup in the UAE before flying out for the Ashes.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has urged Root's side to commit to touring Australia.

with AAP

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