Tim Paine slams Michael Clarke claims over Australia’s T20 squad

Tim Paine has hit back hard over Michael Clarke’s claims Australian selectors have mishandled Steve Smith’s selection.

If there is a fraternity between former Australian Test cricket captains, Tim Paine didn’t get the memo when it comes to Michael Clarke.

Earlier this week, Clarke took a healthy swipe at Australian selectors over the treatment of veteran superstar Steve Smith.

Discarded from the Australian Twenty20 scene for last year’s T20 World Cup following a poor stretch in the game’s shortest format, the 34-year-old Smith is now back in favour.

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Smith has been selected for an upcoming tour of South Africa and is firmly in the frame for the One-Day World Cup in India later this year

Surprisingly, it all seems to hinge on just two innings, albeit spectacular ones, when Smith smashed consecutive hundreds for the Sydney Sixers in January this year in the Big Bash, including a club record 125 from just 66 balls.

(Left to right) Nathan Lyon, Tim Paine and Pat Cummins during a Test match against India in 2021. Paine has staunchly defended Australian selectors. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“It was pretty exhilarating,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “The way he played in the Big Bash, we wanted to see that replicated internationally.”

His selection comes despite Smith averaging a measly 19.23 in T20Is since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a strike rate of 115.41 – the only recognised Australian batter with a lower strike rate during that period was Ben McDermott.

Clarke labelled the Smith selection “embarrassing”, called selections in general “absolutely confusing” and stated there was “no accountability” for these decisions.

But Paine has strongly refuted those comments, stepping in to defend Bailey, his teammate over 15 seasons with Tasmania in domestic cricket.

Michael Clarke and Tim Paine. Getty Images

“It’s not embarrassing,” Paine hit back on SEN Tassie. “The facts are the circumstances have changed. You’ve got a spot that’s opened up since Aaron Finch has retired.

“Since he’s retired, Steve Smith – who has struggled traditionally in T20 – has gone back to the Big Bash and absolutely dominated as an opening batter and demanded selection in Aaron Finch’s spot, probably ahead of Travis Head.

”He would have been the other option to open the batting.

“So to say it was embarrassing, I think it’s actually really clear why he wasn’t playing when he wasn’t playing and now he’s got a chance.

“It doesn’t mean he’s going to play all the time, but he’s got a chance in South Africa to take his T20 form opening the batting into international cricket and if he can do that, he’ll keep playing.

“If he doesn’t then Travis Head or someone like that will be knocking on the door to take his spot.”

Michael Clarke captained the Test team from 2007 through to 2015. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Following Finch’s retirement earlier this year, Bailey confirmed Smith would open the batting in the upcoming T20 series against the Proteas in South Africa.

Speaking to Sky Sports Radio‘s Big Sports Breakfast on Tuesday, Clarke confessed he “didn’t mind” Australia’s ODI and T20 squads for the South Africa tour, but vented his frustration with the “confusing” selection policy.

“I don’t understand (Smith’s selection) … that to me is embarrassing for the selectors,” Clarke said.

“They had him in the World Cup squad last year and he couldn’t make the XI.

“He doesn’t get a game, we go terribly in the World Cup (knocked out in the second round).

“Selections over the past 15 months have been absolutely confusing. Smith not playing in that World Cup, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“There’s just no accountability. It’s just swept under the carpet. I feel like I’m just watching a different game.

Steve Smith lit up the @BBL as an opener, and now he'll get the chance to open the batting in T20
internationals 🙌 #SAvAUSpic.twitter.com/0XM4nDOO0j

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 8, 2023

“I don’t know what they’re thinking with Smithy in the T20s. I don’t think he’s playing any other T20 cricket around the world. He’s not getting a gig in the IPL, didn’t get picked up there.

“He must still want to play though.”

Australia’s first T20 against the Proteas gets underway in Durban on August 30.

Veteran opener David Warner has been rested for the three T20 matches, meaning Smith could open alongside Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short or Marcus Stoinis in South Africa.

Smith will play under Mitch Marsh – who has earned T20 captaincy honours for the first time – in the T20s before likely featuring in five ODIs later in September.