Ashes 2017: Tim Paine on how he quickly bounced back from dropped catch at the Gabba

ASHES gloveman Tim Paine has credited his new found mental resolve for ensuring he didn’t become consumed by a Gabba day one blunder which had the vultures circling his shock selection.

Tim Paine spills a chance in the first Test at the Gabba.

ASHES gloveman Tim Paine has credited his new found mental resolve for ensuring he didn’t become consumed by a Gabba day one blunder which had the vultures circling his shock selection.

Paine — who was not keeping for Tasmania when he was named as Tigers teammate Matthew Wade’s replacement for the blockbuster series — spilt a catch off spinner Nathan Lyon on the first day of the summer in a moment which sent the critics into overdrive.

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However instead of retreating into his shell and fearing he had blown his second chance as a Test cricketer, Paine embraced the challenge and has not looked back since.

Since that dropped catch he has been near flawless behind the stumps, having bagged a match turning stumping in Brisbane and 15 catches, including the offering which saw Australia regain the urn at the WACA on Monday.

Tim Paine spills a chance in the first Test at the Gabba.

He has also silenced the doubters of his batting, contributing vital knocks of 57 in Adelaide and 49 not out in Perth.

“I dropped a catch, at that stage yeah there was a bit of that [oh no] feeling, but I get that if I drop a catch in grade cricket, that will never change,” Paine told the Mercury.

“The difference, again maybe it has just come with maturity or the real confidence I’ve always had in my keeping, in times gone by I might have then not wanted the ball to come to me again for the rest of the day.

Tim Paine celebrates in the dressing room after Australia secured the Ashes on Monday.

“But I distinctly remember that day and every other day of Test cricket I have played since, I have wanted the ball. I want Nathan Lyon to get me that catch again, I want to show people that I will catch it.

“Whether it is a tough catch or not, I think I am good enough to catch them.

“I was disappointed I didn’t, but it was a great sign of where I am at mentally that I didn’t shy away from it and my first thought was ‘I want him to get that same nick’.”

Paine admits it has been a surreal experience being part of an Ashes battle, and he is absorbing as much of the hype as he can.

Now his is itching to embrace the build up to the biggest day on the Australian cricketing calendar — a Boxing Day Test against the arch enemy.

“I can’t wait, even thinking about it this morning, day one there is going to be 100,000 people at the MCG.

“All of us who play cricket at any level have often sat there on Boxing Day morning and watched the national anthems or the first 10 overs and thought ‘I wonder what that will be like playing in front of’.

“In a few days time I am going to get the opportunity to do it, which is absolutely incredible.

“I’ll just try and take it in and enjoy it for what it is. It is a special time to play for Australia.”

Originally published as Ashes 2017: Tim Paine on how he quickly bounced back from dropped catch at the Gabba