Sometimes we want people to succeed so much that we magnify their efforts beyond reason.
Tim Paine was earmarked as an Australian captain in waiting years ago and, at a time when there’s seemingly a leadership void at the top of the tree, the appetite for the Tasmanian wicketkeeper to perform has grown.
The “next Australian skipper” ship might have left Constitution Dock long ago. It hit rocky seas in Bass Straight, lost in a wave of operations to fix a damaged finger, at a time when the forecast was for smooth sailing.
Paine’s unbeaten 74 for the Hobart Hurricanes against the Perth Scorchers on New Year’s Day was seen by some as the perfect start to a fresh slate.
He played all around the ground, never looked troubled and murmurs of an Ashes tour as the back-up gloveman had grown to a deafening roar by the time the right hander had walked off Blundstone Arena.
The innings was impressive, but it was also the first sign that the old Tim Paine was ready to emerge.
It’s easy to forget that Paine already has four Tests to his name. He has two test half centuries and a 47 on his record.
His highest score was 92 against India in Mohali in October in 2010 and he backed that up with 59 in the second Test in Bangalore.
He might still be baby-faced, but several seasons ruined by injury stunted his assault on a spot in the Test side.
Where once he was a fresh faced star on the rise, Paine is now a 28-year-old in desperate need of a strong run of form.
He has all of the attributes to make it. Application is now the key factor.
It’s especially important because there are several contenders to be the deputy to Matt Wade.
Brad Haddin has piled on 337 runs at an almost irresistible average of 67.4 to be far and away the leading contender.
But, for all of his skill and experience, there’s a school of thought that says his re-call would be a step back in terms of the side’s progression instead of a stride forward.
Peter Nevill has 298 runs at 37.25, Chris Hartley 312 runs at 34.6, Tim Ludeman 273 runs at 24.8 and Tom Triffitt 295 runs at 29.5.
They’re hardly numbers that scream “pick me” and the timing of the Big Bash League makes judging form almost impossible.
But that is the predicament Cricket Australia has thrown itself into and they’re going to have to find a way to put a value on T20 form when looking towards the Test arena.
Tony Powell
Guest
Good luck Tim, would really enjoy seeing you keep wicket at the SCG for the New Year Test. Tony
The no. Three
Guest
All these particular keepers can keep at the top level I believe. They must also be able to bat as a possible no. six even. They cannot be a keeper and occupy a spot at seven but not contribute. Infact, keepers should come mainly from pedigree of being ex-genuine batsmen. This means lets keep an eye on Ryan Carters too, as he is a keeper, not a genuine opener.
Jm
Guest
Clearly Paine is next in line, after Wade that is. Haddin is too old - it would be a step back to take him to India. In fact, if Paine is 100% fit, he will probably be the next long-term wk for Australia.
x_man
Roar Rookie
Interesting that an article about who Australia's next wicket keeper should be discusses only batting averages. Never mind if they can actually keep....
Big ideas
Guest
IMO, Wade has been elevated to 6, he can bat and he can bowl...but his glove work is questionable at best. Luderman and Paine have the best gloves around and Paine edges him out in the batting. I do believe that either will be the new keeper v soon and Wade will be an all rounder...WATCH THIS SPACE.
The no. Three
Guest
We have a wealth of good keepers. M Wade deserves to be at the pointy end now, he learns fast. Those stats blow me away with B Haddin. He would have to be on the plane. I'm a fan of T Paine , C Hartley and P Nevill anyway. Why not reward quality form when he is twice as good with the bat?
Ajay
Guest
I think he should be first choice Wicket Keeper. I don't understand this under study keeper thing. Australia should look for future and Paine is future. I have seen him playing in India and he was batting like a good batsman and his wicket keeping skills are good.
david
Guest
^ im sorry what? when was he poor? name one example
Luke Doherty
Roar Guru
Plenty around the traps think he has the best hands in the country too.
Luke Doherty
Roar Guru
I agree Chop. I think how well a keeper bats has definitely become the main selection criteria. There's not much between the top keepers at state level.
Luke Doherty
Roar Guru
There seems to be a definite blindspot when it comes to Queenslanders. Well... that's the popular theory anyway.
Luke Doherty
Roar Guru
Exactly right Tailender. That was the perfect time. In a perfect world Ponting and Hussey would've realised that the Ashes was a bridge too far back then. Hindsight as they say is 20/20.
Luke Doherty
Roar Guru
Hey Christo, I reckon it does for sure. They're not so keen on taking an inexperienced side to England for the Ashes.
Jason
Guest
Wade was poor today. Again.
Red Kev
Guest
Agreed. If Khawaja was kept in from the SCG Ashes test, this would be his 21st test. Assuming Hughes was dropped and then brought in now as Watson's injury cover and Hussey's replacement, it would be his 18th test. That would be much better.
Swampy
Guest
Unfortunately Tim Paine's finger injury in a meaningless exhibition match has probably meant most people have forgotten just how promising he was at the international level 2 years ago. At that point, Paine had more than filled in well for Haddin. He batted very well in England (particularly the one day series) and kept well (better than Haddin who had dropped a few that possibly cost us the Ashes). He subsequently played well in India where others struggled. I've been watching Paine bat for years and he is Tassie's Mark Waugh. Everything looks effortless. However, like the case should be for every player - Paine needs to do well now, particularly in the Shield to be considered for anything. If he keeps well and bats well for Tassie then he should be taken as Wade's back-up. Particularly as he has adjusted well to English conditions previously (does anyone know what Haddin's averages are in India and England?). I imagine Wade, who grew up in the same outer suburb as Paine in Hobart, would relish the challenge of fighting off Tim Paine for his spot. Paine forced Wade to move to Victoria (as well as Triffett to WA) so Wade would be itching to get one back on his childhood neighbour. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
We missed the boat then when you consider that after Clarke took over the captaincy we had Sri Lanka, New Zealand, India, West Indies all in succession. How invaluable would those matches have been to the younger guys coming through? 12 tests worth of experience for a Khawaja or someone else, but no. We persisted with Ricky Ponting believing he'd play forever. Rookie move. Hopefully lessons are learnt from that experience.
The High Shot
Roar Pro
I can't understand why his name isn't mentioned more. He's been a good player for Qld forever.
sledgeross
Guest
Paine is not longer an up and comer though, hes nearing 30. yes, hes been unlucky that he has been injured for essentially 2 seasons, but lets not forget he only averages a tick over 30 at first class level. Nevill has the best FC average of 43, which should really get him in contention for an Aussie batting spot!
Chop
Guest
In my opinion, 'Keeping has moved from a specialist position to an extra batsman who fields in gloves. Therefore you pick the best batsman of the contenders. Unfortunately that's Haddin at the moment but he's 35 and not a long term option but with the experience which has left the side he would be a worthy inclusion on batting form alone. Longer term I think Paine has the potential to overtake Wade as first choice keeper but needs to score a mountain of runs. I agree with the above people who've said that Neville needs the gloves for NSW for NSW's and Australia's sake.