A few starting options:
Pat Cummins - I believe is currently the Vice Captain
Steve Smith - is allowed to but…
Travis Head - I believe was vice captain but is not a consistent member of the side. Was identified as a possible future captain
Usman Khawaja - is captain of Queensland but no guarantee he is in the side
Let me know your thoughts or who you think will fit best?
Don't get me wrong, I love Patty Cummins as much as the next guy or girl. He's a superb role model, and I couldn't be happier that he's proving that bowlers make decent enough captains (I know he hasn't been tested properly, but he's been good either way).
However, despite Tim Paine's character flaws, I thought he was the perfect test captain of the Australian team, from an entertainment point-of-view.
If we look back just 2 years or so, an even smaller sample size when you consider Aus haven't played much test cricket, you'll find iconic moments littered across the tests, all thanks to Painey.
There was his captaincy implosion that contributed to Stokes' miracle of Headingly, featuring stupid last-ball fields and diabolical reviews. There was his chat to the Indians during the UAE test, which preceded one of his only good performances with the bat to save the game. And there was his infamous "Can't wait to get you to the Gabba" sledge aimed at Ashwin, which backfired harder than Napoleon's decision to invade Russia.
They are but a few examples of his entertaining antics. If you can remember any more, please comment.
I hope Paine can find solace in the fact that his captaincy was definitely memorable. That would be my only problem with Cummins' captaincy: it might be boringly-good. Good tactics, good leadership, good PR.
Paine wasn't the best tactician, nor the best leader. But I thought he did an admirable job dragging the test team out of the abyss after sandpapergate, and followed that up with 3/4 years of moments to remember.
Edit: I'm not suggesting he should've stayed/is better than Cummins, I just miss the entertainment.
Excerpts from The Courier Mail on Sunday QLD interview with Tim and Bonnie Paine in case anyone is interested.
HM: You've made a mistake that many make and you'll pay an enormous price because of your profile. Can I ask, why? Why did you send the messages?
TP : Ummmm... yeah ... (long emotional pause) ... that's, that's a good question. I'm not even sure there is a simple, clear answer Hame. I battle with that every day, "Why did I send those messages?" Maybe it's as simple as stupidity? Or an inflated ego? Or feeling needed or wanted, being flattering. Or that it was dangerous or risqué? I don't know, I'm not sure. But I know I wish I hadn't, and it'll be a life of regret that I did.
HM: How did the text exchange start?
TP: A female colleague who worked at Cricket Tasmania and I would communicate over text around cricket issues. There was nothing unusual about it. But then, one text was sent that was a little open ended, and it became a flirtatious exchange that should never have.
HM: Over how long a period?
TP: A night, and then a few the next morning.
—
HM: Wow! You didn't share it with them [teammates] to try and help yourself through it as a couple, or individually?
BP : Tim didn't want to. He felt so embarrassed he didn't want anyone to know.
TP: I only told a couple of people, but with most things where I have been wrong, or done the wrong thing, I'd just held it all to myself, and tried to fight my way through it all, which is actually bloody unhealthy. I've learnt that isn't the best way to deal with these things.
BP : You telling me was a huge progression for us. You kept everything so secretive prior to that.
TP: Yeah, I did. Bonnie has helped me through that. She has shown me I need to own up to mistakes to become a better person, father, husband, son. For years, I kept things inside, I bottled everything up, and that's why sometimes I do stupid things. I didn't ask for help, I didn't tell people how I was feeling, I didn't share. Bonnie has been good at helping me change that.
BP: Weirdly, this mess has actually helped our relationship. I can't believe I am saying that.
TP: I know ... I agree, but it does sound crazy saying that! Since that conversation over three years ago, a strengthening of open honesty between the two of us, our marriage, relationship, bond, trust, has continued to strengthen. I guess that is the good that has come out of a scenario with very little good!
If you see the recent interview if game director Mike Merren, he did mention that Cricket Australia has been in touch with them regarding this but it's a bit too late to do anything before release as game releases in 3 days but he did said the possibility of having a patch to edit things and referred to the changes they made to marketing and other stuff when Ben Stokes brawl controversy happened few years back. I really hope they remove this because the cricket needs to be clean and such characters deserve no space as face of the only game that is there to promote Cricket.
As a >!horny!< Cultured Australian Cricketer Tim Paine did everything right to impress the lord Warne. Either calling Ashwin to Gaba for Nuru massage or Allowing Rishabh Spider Pant to play with his kids. He was the ideal giga chad.
But suddenly after few months he quits his test captaincy of Australia. Let's dive ......
Justin Langers best buddy Tim Paine neither holds the record of worlds biggest >!Bat!< nor the sharpest then why? Let's find out....
It's all started when he invited his old mate Ashwin for Nuru massage in Gabba but Washington Sundar and Rishabh Spider Pant spoiled his party and hurts him where it's matters most.
His old friend a leak expert Chutmarika66 said that "After The Gabba breach he was devastated even Henriques Spotify list couldn't help him out, he had beef with koach so he can't ask him MRF ZLX for sheer comfort, but there was one man who know all the trick Sextillion7thPower"
Sextilllion7thpower adviced him to " Go hard or Go home"
But Paine was a man of culture. So, instead Going hard he choose >!oral!< . He asked the women >!suck his popsicle!< and end her thrust Cause it was hot in Australia. But these so-called journalist failed to understand the great Cause of Paine"
We are sorry Paine. Just Show your popsicle to Everyone ....
