Tim Paine won’t go kicking and screaming if this is his swan song summer

Tim Paine holds one of the most prized positions in Australian sport, but the Test captain says if his period leading the team ended tomorrow he would not be kicking cans.

Australia's captain Tim Paine (L) gestures beside Australia's Steve Smith as his players celebrate their victory on the field after the fourth Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on September 8, 2019. - Australia retained the Ashes with a 185-run thrashing of England in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Sunday. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

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Tim Paine is realistic that this could be his farewell summer but is not about to put a time frame on how long he has left.

The Australian captain has hopes of extending his career beyond this summer, but as his 35th birthday approaches, Paine understands cricket’s laws of the jungle and will not bow out kicking cans when his moment comes.

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Australia's captain Tim Paine (L) is unconcerned by speculation that Steve Smith (R) will return to his former role leading the Test team. Picture: Oli Scarff/AFP

Speculation over Steve Smith’s leadership ban ending in March next year and talk of Alex Carey’s rise has combined to cast doubt over whether Paine would continue on after the coming home twin series against Pakistan and New Zealand.

Paine feels fit and fresh and has taken measures to try and prolong his late-blossoming career as long as possible, but the man who has guided Australia through the most tumultuous period in its history realises that his tenure won’t last forever.

In his mind he is not viewing this as his last summer, but neither is he ruling that prospect out.

Tim Paine (R) and his heir-apparent at wicketkeeper Alex Carey (C) talk with Australian fielding coach Brad Haddin during the recent Ashes series in England. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

“No, not really. I haven’t given it a lot of thought. It might be. I’m not too sure. I haven’t looked at it that way at the moment,” Paine said.

“But as I’ve said many a time. I’m enjoying doing it. I feel good physically. I feel good mentally, so while that continues and I’m scoring enough runs and keeping well enough then I’d like to continue.

“But I know when you get to my age that can change really quickly. I’m not going to look too far ahead. I’m really looking forward to this summer. Beyond that I haven’t looked too far.”

Other captains may have bristled at the mass foreshadowing of a successor when he is still in the room.

Paine’s close friend Ricky Ponting grew increasingly frustrated at the scrutiny over his captaincy and place in the team late in his career.

But not Paine.

Tim Paine is prepared to relinquish the Australian captaincy when the tap comes. Picture: Lachie Millard

When the tap on the shoulder comes, or he walks himself, Paine will retire a happy man.

“I’ll stop when I’m ready to stop, or when Justin (Langer) and Cracker (Selector, Trevor Hohns) tell me that I am.

“And when that time comes I am ready for it. I’m not too fussed to be honest.”

The Tasmanian never expected to get an 11th hour second crack at Test cricket as a wicketkeeper, let alone the extraordinary circumstances that then resulted in his elevation to the second-highest office after the Prime Minister.

Perhaps Paine’s greatest strength as a captain is his calming presence, and his acceptance at speculation over his future will serve to relax the Australian team and hierarchy.

(L-R) Tim Paine, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood of Australia run during a training session ahead of the first test between Australia and Pakistan. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Paine is determined to get every ounce out of himself before the final whistle blows, but not motivated by the need to prove people wrong.

“No not really, no. I think years ago it probably would have bothered me. But now it actually doesn’t bother me one bit,” he said.

“I’m motivated from within. I know what I want to do and what I want to achieve and I think when you’re the Australian captain and the Australian keeper, they’re two of the most critiqued roles in Australian sport and at the moment I have to hold them both.

“I know I’m going to be in the cross hairs for people all the time but at the same time I also get a lot of … positive feedback and a lot of people telling me how well I’m doing as well.

“That’s just part of the job. At times you’re going to get critiqued and you’re not going to like it and other times you’re going to get praised when you think you’ve done something that’s pretty normal.

“It’s just about keeping nice and consistent level and it certainly doesn’t add any extra motivation.

“I think there’s always talk when an Australian captain gets older. There’s always talk of who is the next one, when is he going to stop. I think that’s natural and that’s always going to be the case.”