Tim Paine in danger of missing second Test in Perth

Australia could have its third captain in less than a year with wicketkeeper Tim Paine suffering an injury to his right hand in Adelaide. But who should take the armband in Perth should Paine be ruled out?

Tim Paine. Picture: Getty

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Test skipper Tim Paine has become Australia’s ticking time-bomb as legend Adam Gilchrist raises concerns over the keeper-batsman’s unforgiving workload.

Paine says he is “in no doubt, fine” for the second Test in Perth despite requiring treatment for a blow that jammed his hand from Indian speedster Mohammed Shami during the final day of Australia’s first Test loss at Adelaide Oval.

It was a reminder of the fragility of Paine’s battle scarred hands that sustained a hairline fracture against South Africa in Johannesburg during March/April and that have required seven operations since 2010.

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Paine, 34, is destined to go into his second Test four matches in severe discomfort – desperate to lead a side with no clear successor as skipper.

“There’s some things we can improve on. It’s as we thought it’s going to be, it’s going to be a really tight Test series,” said Paine after India won the opening match of a Test series in Australia for the first time.

Gilchrist has noted the battles through busted fingers, keeping, batting and captaincy of a struggling Australia side that Paine must endure.

“I don’t like to pigeon-hole any player but keeping, captaining and batting, how much can you handle of it in five-day cricket?” 96-Test doyen and Fox Cricket commentator Gilchrist queried.

Virat Kohli lurks as Tim, Paine receives treatment. Picture: Getty

Australian one-day vice-captain Alex Carey – who made a ton this week against New South Wales - remains just one Paine injury away from a Test keeping debut. Travis Head – South Australia’s youngest captain at 21 - could come from the clouds to lead Australia should Paine be sidelined this summer or beyond.

Usman Khawaja is Australia’s only certain batting selection but isn’t yet viewed as a captaincy candidate. Mitch Marsh was appointed Test vice-captain but dropped for Adelaide’s series opener. Australia would be unlikely to promote fast bowler Josh Hazlewood from co-deputy to captain.

Australian players recently identified Head, Carey, Hazlewood, Aaron Finch and Mitch Marsh as future leaders. The five aspiring leaders presented to a panel including Mark Taylor, Greg Chappell and chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns.

Paine soldiered on before holing out on 41. Picture: AP

Paine missed a clear stumping with Ravi Ashwin on 3 off Nathan Lyon in India’s second innings which magnified focus on his responsibility to keep, strategize and bat in a rebuilding side.

“He has a lot on his mind. He would be thinking about declarations, best way to stay in this match. You cannot assume his mind was elsewhere but there is so much to do in first class cricket for a captain,” said Gilchrist of 15-Test keeper Paine.

“It was a hard and hot chance but you expect them in Test cricket.”

A dejected Paine walks back to the pavilion. Picture: Getty

Gilchrist famously captained Australia during a breakthrough Test series win on the subcontinent in 2004 when Ricky Ponting missed the first three matches with a broken thumb. It was no easy feat.

“He is a lovely wicketkeeper, soft hands, relatively new in his Test career,” said Gilchrist.

“It was one he wished he would have took and pouched but be able to move on from it.”

Gilchrist recalled the nasty hit from a 150km/h Dirk Nannes thunderbolt in a pre-season Twenty20 game eight years ago that consigned keeper-batsman Paine to years in an injury and confidence sapped wilderness.

“It was up near that first knuckle and cost him a lot of cricket and it was the batting that was the issue,” said Gilchrist on Paine, who was recalled for last year’s Ashes series to replace Matt Wade.

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Originally published as Tim Paine in danger of missing second Test in Perth