Tim Paine sexting scandal: Former Aussie paceman lays down Barmy Army advice for dumped skipper

After enduring the brunt of the Barmy Army’s taunts during parts of his Ashes career - Mitchell Johnson has delivered some home truths to Tim Paine on how to deal with them this summer.

Tim Paine is firming as a starter for the first Test, with confirmation he will play an additional game for Tasmania on Friday.

After resigning from the Australian captaincy amid the sexting scandal last week, there has been lingering doubt over Paine’s selection for the first Ashes Test because he’s also coming back from serious neck surgery.

But Paine’s fitness prospects have been boosted by his inclusion in Tasmania’s 50-over side to take on Western Australia on Friday in Hobart.

Tim Paine gets another chance for his state after a second XI failure. Picture Eddie Safarik

It gives Paine another 50-overs of high-level match practice with the gloves to get his wicketkeeping rhythm tuned up for the Ashes, as well as the prospect of a bat against quality bowling after missing out on runs in the second XI game he’s just played.

Under the original plan, Paine was to fly straight to the Gold Coast on Friday to join the Australian camp, and all that would have been left for him was an intra-squad practice hitout involving Australia A players next week in Brisbane.

But the addition of one-day game for Tasmania indicates that Paine is confident about testing his neck out further and putting extra miles in the legs.

Mitchell Johnson copped a tough time from the Barmy Army in the 2009 Ashes tour.

Former Test quick Mitchell Johnson said Paine deserved to play the first Test against England despite surrendering the captaincy.

“He’s still the best gloveman, but a couple of guys are close behind him,” Johnson said on 2GB.

“He deserves to have that chance so I think he will play but it is just whether he can get through the other stuff of it, the mental stuff.

Paine will be looking to get among the runs in Hobart. Picture Eddie Safarik

“The Barmy Army have already got the songs read and waiting, they do get to you, if I had any advice it would be to be really prepared for it and to try and block it out.”

David Warner’s wife Candice Warner told 2GB’s sports drive program that she was concerned about mixed messaging from Cricket Australia over the handling of the Paine saga.

Warner also supported Paine playing the first Test, but questioned CA’s response.

“They are basically saying that it is not OK for an Australian cricket captain to send these messages, but it is OK for an Australian player,” she said.

“As a wife of an Australian cricketer, that is slightly concerning and it does make me worry.”