Paine delighted with Australia’s apology form ahead of Pakistan Test series

Australia captain Tim Paine has welcomed some of his team’s recent misdemeanors because their subsequent repentance “showed we’re in great apology nick as a unit.”
Ex-skipper Steve Smith and fast bowler James Pattinson both faced censure for their conduct in the latest round of Sheffield Shield matches, with the latter now set to miss Thursday’s first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane.
Paine, though, said the pair’s contrite apologies were evidence his team were “hitting our straps ethics-wise” going into the series.
Smith was fined 25% of his match fee for showing dissent after being given out for New South Wales against Western Australia at the SCG.
He subsequently said sorry at coach Justin Langer’s “values meeting”, something which does apparently exist, and pledged to work on his post-dismissal behaviour. His team mates accepted his apology, presumably with a handshake.
“We’re obviously pretty revved that Smithy showed dissent to the umpire, but that’s the genius he is,” said skipper Paine. “He knew the team needed to make some pious apologies and somehow just found a way. You don’t expect him to ever get out, so to have manufactured an apology window like that is incredible. But we all know how unorthodox he is.”
Langer echoed his captain’s sentiments. “To be honest, Smithy and Patto’s behaviour this week came as a bloody relief,” he remarked. “For a while, people were maybe starting to forget our values-based approach because it’s very much something we don’t like to mention publicly. I’m pretty pleased a couple of the boys have stepped up to the plate.”
Pakistan’s preparations, meanwhile, have been plunged into moral chaos following an unusually sedate period without any on or off field transgressions to show remorse for.
Coach Misbah-ul-Haq admitted his side were “certainly rusty apology-wise”, but remained bullish. “I am extremely confident one of my players will do something stupid that needs apologising for before too long,” he proclaimed.
“If not, we can always recall Sarfaraz.”
As made up by James Marsh (We can’t stress that enough: this is made up.)
Latest
-
News
Tim Paine: India deserves winners, outplayed Australia
Australia captain Tim Paine has conceded that his side were outplayed in key moments of the series and that India were deserved winners.
-
News
Rishabh Pant reflects on ‘dream series’ after India stun Australia at the Gabba
India’s Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant inspired a record-breaking victory at the Gabba.
-
News
India move to the top of ICC rankings
After beating Australia by three wickets in the fourth Test on Tuesday, India moved to the number spot on the ICC World Test Championship.
-
News
Rishabh Pant unbeaten 89 steers India to series win over Australia
India pulled off a record run chase at the Gabba to inflict Australia’s first defeat there since 1988.
-
News
Joe Root shares victory call with fan who waited 10 months for team to arrive
England’s Test captain spoke with Rob Lewis, who has been in Sri Lanka since March, from a distance.
-
News
5 of the best England wins on the sub-continent
Joe Root’s side were convincing winners in the first Test in Sri Lanka.
-
News
Sarah Taylor: Cricket had to fade away but I’m happy
Taylor has not played the game since retiring from England duty in September 2019.
-
News
Mickey Arthur takes hope from Sri Lanka fight after ‘unacceptable’ first innings
Sri Lanka posted 359 in the second innings to take the edge of defeat by England.
-
News
Joe Root looks ahead after England seal Galle success
Jonny Bairstow and Dan Lawrence calmed the nerves to secure a seven-wicket win in Sri Lanka.
-
News
England claims seven-wicket win in Sri Lanka
The fourth-wicket pair calmly collected the remaining runs.