Certainly Aussies can’t take Tigers lightly: Paine

Their confidence soaring high after five Test wins in a row, Australia skipper Time Paine says they can’t wait to host India for a “mouth-watering” series later this year but revenge is certainly not on their minds.

Australia had suffered their first ever Test series against India at home in the summer of 2018-19 when they missed prolific batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner, who were serving bans following a ball-tampering scandal that shook world cricket.

Australia has taken long strides since then with young batsmen rising to the occasion, their fast bowlers doing much better and Smith-Warner pair getting back to the fold.

As a result, Australia humbled Pakistan in both the Tests inside four days and scored dominant victories over the Kiwis.

A sense of confidence has replaced desperation as Paine spoke of India’s tour which is still a year away.

“If we go to Bangladesh and play well and get some wins over there, then we come back to Australia playing India, and that's a pretty mouth-watering series for players and for fans,” Paine said.

“It’s hard not to be looking at that, and we’ve got some people at Cricket Australia already looking ahead to that series. But for the main playing group our next goal is Bangladesh, and we certainly can’t take that lightly.”

 

Certainly Aussies cant take Tigers lightly: Paine

Their confidence soaring high after five Test wins in a row, Australia skipper Time Paine says they cant wait to host India for a mouth-watering series later this year but revenge is certainly not on their minds. Australia had suffered their first ever Test series against India at home in the summer of 2018-19 when they missed prolific batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner, who were serving bans following a ball-tampering scandal that shook world cricket. Australia has taken long strides since then with young batsmen rising to the occasion, their fast bowlers doing much better and Smith-Warner pair getting back to the fold. As a result, Australia humbled Pakistan in both the Tests inside four days and scored dominant victories over the Kiwis. A sense of confidence has replaced desperation as Paine spoke of Indias tour which is still a year away. If we go to Bangladesh and play well and get some wins over there, then we come back to Australia playing India, and thats a pretty mouth-watering series for players and for fans, Paine said. Its hard not to be looking at that, and weve got some people at Cricket Australia already looking ahead to that series. But for the main playing group our next goal is Bangladesh, and we certainly cant take that lightly.