Aussies slammed for ’over the top’ antics after Tim Paine’s sledging and Matthew Wade’s mocking

Australia has been accused of using cheap intimidatory tactics and showing poor sportsmanship as a win against India slipped away.

Tim Paine and Ravichandran Ashwin.

As Australia’s hopes of a win in the third Test against India faded away, the side was slammed online for acts of intimidation as they tried to get under the skin of the Indians.

As Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin played out a 40-over stalemate to keep the Border-Gavaskar series alive for the final Test, the Aussies were increasingly frustrated.

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But it was Australian captain Tim Paine who went hard with the verbal barrage as he was caught on the stump microphones calling Indian rival Ravichandran Ashwin a “d***head” on day five of the New Year’s Test.

During Monday’s evening session at the SCG, Nathan Lyon was bowling to Ashwin with the Australian fielders chatting around the bat.

But what started as harmless banter soon took an ugly turn as the chances of an Australian victory slipped away.

When Ashwin pulled out of a delivery as Lyon was halfway through his run-up, Paine said: “We can’t wait to get you to the Gabba, Ash.”

Ashwin quickly responded: “Just like we want to get you to India. It’ll be your last series.”

Paine shot back: “Maybe, are you a selector here as well? At least my teammates like me, d***head I’ve got a lot more Indian friends than you do. Even your teammates think you’re a goose. Don’t they. Every one.”

Matthew Wade was also heard on stump mic saying, “Just don’t end up with a broken rib”.

Tim Paine of Australia speaks to Ravichandran Ashwin.

The remarks spurred Ashwin to pull out of another Lyon delivery, which evoked a chorus of boos around the ground.

Ashwin said: “Tell me when you’re done.”

Paine replied: “I can talk all day mate. You wait until you get to the Gabba pal.”

After the next ball was bowled, Paine targeted Ashwin once again.

“How many IPL teams wanted you when you asked every single one of them to have you?” Paine continued.

“If you captain, ‘Oh coming from captain’,” he added with a mocking accent.

Paine continued two balls later: “I‘ve already played a series in India … can’t remember my average, 60 something.”

On Fox Sports, former Test spinner Kerry O’Keeffe said: “It’s not banter, it’s pointed.”

But Australian great Mike Hussey said it was “tactics, trying to put Ashwin off his concentration”, adding that it was a sign of desperation.

Paine and Wade have been over the top today. You look like a goose when you then don't then back it up with your own performance. Just play the game on its merits, guys. If you're not good enough to get them out with the ball, you're not going to do it with your mouth. #AUSvsIND

— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) January 11, 2021

I honestly have no problem with that chat from Paine, but given the context of the match it screams of desperation. Ashwin is letting the bat do the talking, and every ball he survives is clearly adding to Paine's nerves. #AUSvIND

— Alexander Grant (@AlexGrantOz) January 11, 2021

Tim Paine appears to be acting like a bit of a goose

— Ben Schneiders (@benschneiders) January 11, 2021

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Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar was less kind in his assessment.

“It’s ridiculous. It’s unnecessary. What he said he’s got more friend than Ravichandran Ashwin is unwanted and unnecessary,” Gavaskar said on Channel 7.

“This game has been such a fabulous game of cricket. I tell you what, what Tim Paine said to Ravichandran Ashwin just waiting to get you to the Gabba, I can tell you, Bumrah and company are also waiting to get to the Gabba.”

The remarks soon came back to haunt Paine, as he dropped a catch off Hanuma Vihari the very next over.

While the Indians were being pummelled throughout the day as Australia banged it in short, Wade came underfire for seemingly mocking the visitors injuries as he fielded in short leg.

There was vision of Wade when he was fielding in close and knocked down a ball he appeared ready to charge the batsman before stopping to pick up the ball.

As his teammates patted him on the back, he mocked falling down injured.

Seems Wade was trying to mock Indian injuries ..

— मेहरान MUFC🇮🇳 (@mehranzaidi) January 11, 2021

On Channel 7, Michael Slater took aim at the move from Wade.

“I mean, Wade’s just saying, look, I’m tough, I’m in here, I’ve been hit and I’m going to stand tall,” Slater said. “You heard the batsman apologise for hitting him and he was making a step towards the batsman. I just think settle down, it’s a tough position. He is getting hit. I don’t go for this advancing towards the batsman when he is apologising for hitting you.”

Fans were quick to slam the Aussie’s intimidatory tactics.

It is the old Australia. Steve Smith is interfering with the batsman's guard. Paine is building pressure on umpires by abusing them. Local umpires are giving decisions against India, which thanks to referrals are getting reversed.

— Kunal Singh (@d_extrovert) January 11, 2021

Wade won’t/shouldn’t play for Australia again. Time has come and gone. Paine has had a dirty day but deserves a whack for behaving like a prat.

— Matt Webber (@MattWebberWrite) January 11, 2021

Imagine having Wade, Paine and Marnus for company around the bat trying to save a match. Would test the powers of concentration.

— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) January 11, 2021

The fourth and final Test will be juicy.

Vihari and Ashwin survived more than 40 overs at the crease together, denying the Australians a comfortable victory.