Set poor example with my use of language, admits Australia captain Tim Paine

Tim Paine, who was heard on the stump mic going on a rant against Ravichandran Ashwin during Day 5 of the SCG Test, said that he had let himself down with his use of language during the Test.

Speaking after the SCG Test, which was a draw after a 259-ball block-athon by Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin, the Australian captain said, “I probably set a pretty poor example with my use of language. Certainly disappointed with myself… I know the stump ‘mics’ are on and there’s a lot of kids watching and I need to set a better example.”

Paine was heard saying from behind the stumps as Ashwin and Vihari frustrated the hosts: “Even your teammates think you’re a goose. Don’t they? Every one of them. How many IPL teams wanted you, when you asked every single one of them to have you?”

Sunil Gavaskar, who was on commentary, was unimpressed. “Frankly, it’s ridiculous,” he said during commentary on the Seven Network.

“It’s unnecessary.”

Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane also spoke about the matter after the match.

“As long as it stays on the field,” Rahane said, praising the way Ashwin handled the pressure.

Paine had earlier been fined 15 per cent of his match fee after being found guilty of dissent on day three of the third Test, when he appealed for some “f…ing consistency“ in a rant directed at on-field umpire Paul Wilson.