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'Get him in': Shane Warne's pick to replace Tim Paine in Test side

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·3-min read
Shane Warne (pictured right) during Sky Sports commentary and (pictured left) Tim Paine facing the media.
Legendary bowler Shane Warne (pictured right) has called for Tim Paine (pictured left) to be replaced as wicketkeeper in the Test XI. (Getty Images)

Shane Warne has called for a new wicketkeeper in the Australian XI for the Ashes following Tim Paine's sexting scandal.

Paine opened up about the sexting scandal after announcing his resignation as Test captain on Friday, which sent shockwaves through the cricket community.

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The former captain's resignation came amid revelations he was at the centre of a 2018 integrity unit investigation into alleged lewd texts with a female Cricket Tasmania colleague.

However, Paine said he wouldn't step down entirely and wanted to be a part of the team and defend the Ashes urn on home soil.

This is despite speculation the 36-year-old will call time on his international career after the series.

While Paine is hoping to take part in the series after the drama, Warne was quick to call for a new wicketkeeper following the scandal.

The legendary spin bowler has often been a critic of Paine's role in the side, which was clear recently when he took aim at his captaincy in recent times.

And Warne again pointed to his recent 2-1 series loss to India as a reason why Paine should be replaced as No.7 batter and wicketkeeper of the team.

“He had his moments during recent series — especially last summer against India — which left us all questioning his tactical nous and his actual playing role. Bowlers are to blame here too, but the captain has to be held accountable," Warne wrote for The Herald Sun.

Tim Paine (pictured) standing at wicketkeeper for Australia.
Tim Paine (pictured) has stood down as the captain of Australia. (Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP via Getty Images) (PATRICK HAMILTON via Getty Images)

“It seemed that maybe his time was up. His own performances with the gloves and bat weren’t great, we have Matthew Wade, Alex Carey and Josh Inglis as more aggressive and better batting options at number seven. Plus the team wasn’t winning."

And Warne was clear Inglis should get the nod after a strong domestic season.

“He’s a great team man who I saw first hand at the London Spirit this year. He’s 26. Bang, get him in," Warne added.

Next test captain debate after Tim Paine resignation

Paine, 36, was made captain in 2018 when Steve Smith and David Warner were both suspended for their roles in the infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

Warner is barred from holding any captaincy roles in the Australian team for the rest of his career, while Smith was thought to be highly unlikely to ever be elevated back to the captaincy as well.

This has opened up the door for a new captain during the Ashes.

Australia bowler Pat Cummins appeals for a wicket of Joe Denly during the Ashes.
Australian bowler Pat Cummins (pictured) is in the running to become the Test captain. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Current vice-captain Pat Cummins is thought to be the frontrunner to take over from Paine, but Cricket Australia boss Richard Freudenstein admitted on Saturday that Smith is being considered.

"There is going to be a very thorough, and now quite quick, process," he told reporters.

"We are going to look at a range of criteria and there are a range of candidates who are available for that role.

"Steve Smith is one of the candidates that is available for that role."

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