Justin Langer lauds 'toughest pretty boy I’ve ever met'

Australia coach Justin Langer has heaped praise on one of his key player who suffered a worrying setback in the first Test.

Skipper Tim Paine left Aussie fans fearing the worst after he copped yet another injury to his often-damaged index finger during the fourth innings in Adelaide, one day after initially copping a blow in the area.

Soon after he was out after skying a wild hook shot, leaving fans to wonder if his finger injury was catching up to him.

However the Australia coach has moved to ease those worries ahead of the second Test in Perth, starting on Friday.

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“He (Paine) is the toughest pretty boy I’ve ever met in my life,” Langer said.

“He could have snapped it (his finger) in four places and he would be right. He is fine. He has had issues with it before. But he is 100 per cent ready to go.”

Meanwhile, Langer is expecting a fast and bouncy wicket at Perth Stadium to provide plenty for Australia’s quicks as they look to level the Test series against India.

Australia’s pacemen were outperformed by India in Adelaide as the tourists claimed a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series, and their hopes of reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar trophy rest upon winning the second Test starting on Friday.

“There’s certainly some pace and bounce … hopefully on a wicket which is conducive to a bit of swing and seam, the bowlers will get the job done,” Langer told reporters.