International relations and being the national Test captain leaves Tim Paine stuck in the middle
Tasmanian Tim Paine is looking forward to his captaining his first Test in his home state – but international politics has intervened and the skipper could be thrust in the middle.
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AUSTRALIAN captain Tim Paine said he would take the field against an Afghan cricket side representing a Taliban government – but only when it has international approval.
Afghanistan is scheduled to play its first Test match against Australia in Hobart in November, but the return of the Taliban as the country’s rulers has threatened that game.
A Taliban spokesman said earlier this week it had no issue with the Test going ahead.
However, for an association to have Test match status from the International Cricket Council, it must have a women’s program and the Taliban has previously vehemently opposed women’s sport.
This is the backdrop for Paine ahead of his first and most likely only Test in his home state.
Asked if he was happy to take the field against Afghanistan if it goes ahead, a cautious Paine said: “I think so, if it is ticked off above the ICC.
“The United Nations and that sort of stuff will have a fair bit to say with any country dealing with Afghanistan and the Taliban or whoever is running control for that country – we will have to wait and see.”
Paine said this was a far bigger discussion than just whether a cricket match should proceed.
“This probably goes beyond cricket,” he said.
“I’d like to think the decision around that Test match or dealings around a certain country would be made at United Nations level, not at a cricket level.
“You leave that side to that level of discussion and they make those kinds of decisions and then cricket and a Test match is a long way second thought after that.
“But we will be guided by international politics.”
He said Cricket Australia was yet to discuss the Afghanistan situation with the playing group, but it was not the first time international politics had surfaced in Paine’s career.
“I’ve been part of discussions about going to Zimbabwe or playing against them when other regimes are in control,” he said.
“Some people feel uncomfortable with it and others feel it is great that those people get to play on an international sporting stage and it is an escape for them to get out of there and live a life they enjoy.
“It is not a great place to be for the majority of people who live in that country at the moment and maybe some people see a sporting contest as a bit of a break for a few hours or a few days in a Test match, but once those decisions are made above us we can discuss them as a team.”
There are also issues around the make-up of the England team for this summer’s Ashes series, with families facing difficulties joining the visitors due to quarantine and international border issues.
Paine said the Australian players would be facing the same problem if they were travelling for an extended period, but he would have no issue undertaking extended quarantine or being away from family for such a long tour.
But no matter who is named in England’s touring party, it would not diminish the contest in Paine’s eyes.
“It wouldn’t bother me one bit,” he said.
“That’s their choice. Whoever they send they send.
“Obviously you want to play against the best but it is still an Ashes series regardless of who comes over.”
At 36, Paine is looking at life after cricket and has started dabbling in radio, hosting a program with fellow Tasmanian, Richmond AFL star Jack Riewoldt, on SEN Hobart each Friday morning.
“It has been a bit of an eye opener,” Paine said.
“Having to actually research and think about what you are going to ask people.
“Normally I just pick up the phone and answer a few questions, but to be on the other side has been good.”
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