South Africa v Australia 4th Test: Aussies unveil more subdued approach under Tim Paine in Johannesburg

THE constant on a tough opening day at The Wanderers was Australia’s new, measured approach. Aggression was replaced by enthusiasm, with no sledging or antagonism when wickets fell.

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Pat Cummins led the way for the new-look Aussies.

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A whirlwind few days coupled with two jet-lagged players in the XI meant Australia was slow out of the blocks, before a positive recovery led by quicks Pat Cummins and debutant Chadd Sayers, who took five of Australia’s six day one wickets.

The constant was the new, measured approach.

Aggression was replaced by enthusiasm, with no sledging or provocation when wickets fell.

The locals still couldn’t help a cheeky dig, unfurling a banner quipping: “Sandpaper Special, only R10 (10 Rand)”.

They erupted when Markram reached his ton just before tea, as they edged closer to a historic win over Australia.

But the Australian players got on with it. They showed desperation — Nathan Lyon and Joe Burns colliding after coming from opposite directions attempting to dive for the ball.

Tim Paine has introduced a more measured approach.

Aside from the new faces, the ‘cultural change’ was apparent with Australians more subdued — the more reserved inclusions coupled with the ignominy of the past week.

New captain Tim Paine — who has not been shy dishing it out during his 12 Tests — was a picture of positivity behind the stumps, offering constant reinforcement.

“It was still competitive there wasn’t too much verbal going on back and forth between the two sides,’’ Paine said.

“We’ve spoken a bit about that as a group about that going forward that is not the way we are going to play our cricket.

“We still want to keep a really competitive brand of cricket but there’s times we’ve got to be more respectful of our opposition, more respectful of cricket and at times we’ve tended to push the boundaries as far as we possibly could.

“We’ve seen that people probably don’t like that, so it’s time for us to change. We’re happy to do that.”

Joe Burns is back in the Aussie Test team for the first time in two years.

The players appeared relieved to be back in their “safe place”, on the cricket pitch after ducking and diving for the past week.

Paine said the fresh approach resonated with inclusions Joe Burns, Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Chadd Sayers.

“I think it actually suits this group of players, we’re a different group of players than Australia have had for a long time, we haven’t got too many guys that like to verbalise and have that sort of really hard-nosed Australian approach,’’ he said.

“We’re about creating an environment where guys can come in and play cricket and just be themselves. I think if we can achieve that then we’ll have guys having better results as well.”

Paine still managed to draw the ire of the capacity crowd at The Wanderers when appealing an Aiden Markram edge that bumped a split second before he caught it.

But the atmosphere was in stark contrast to the previous three Tests, completely bereft of the tension that could be sliced with a knife.

Originally published as South Africa v Australia 4th Test: Aussies unveil more subdued approach under Tim Paine in Johannesburg