'Didn't watch too much of it, was a bitter pill to swallow': Paine disappointed about Australia missing out on WTC Final - Hindustan Times

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Australia captain Tim Paine says missing out on the WTC final due to a slow-over rate penalty was a bitter pill to swallow.(Getty Images)

'Didn't watch too much of it, was a bitter pill to swallow': Paine disappointed about Australia missing out on WTC Final

Australia captain Tim Paine says missing out on the WTC final due to a slow-over rate penalty was a bitter pill to swallow.

By hindustantimes.com

PUBLISHED ON JUL 05, 2021 06:05 PM IST

Australia Test captain Tim Paine, who is usually known for his downright honesty and straightforwardness, has made yet another revelation. He has stated Australia not being able to make the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final was a "bitter pill to swallow."

The wicketkeeper-batsman said that the umpires need to be more consistent while handing out penalties for slow over rates. After all, it was a four-point penalty to his team during the Boxing Day Test against India that truly hampered their chances of making the summit clash.

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Australia, which eventually lost the four-match series against India 1-2, were the frontrunners to go all the way. The series was Paine and company's last chance to earn WTC points after their tour of South Africa was postponed.

Eventually, it was India, along with New Zealand that made the cut. India beat England during their home series to book the finals berth.

"Bitterly disappointed that we weren’t there (WTC final) because of over rates," Paine told reporters.

"We've always got things in place to try to help out with that, but unfortunately it doesn’t always work. Unfortunately, we’re the team that I think has borne the brunt of it for an over rate."

Paine called for more consistency while handing out points penalties.

"There's been a lot of Test match cricket in the last two years where teams haven't bowled their overs and I'm not sure how many teams lost points out of it.

"I think there needs to be a little bit more consistency around it, given now that the prize is so big and a couple of overs can cost you four points.

The wicketkeeper-batsman suggested that Australia was the only team to be docked points for an over-rate offence.

"We were behind on our overs, and that's what it is. My thing is just with the consistency. I haven't played in too many days where the full overs have been bowled, and to my knowledge there hasn't been other teams docked points.

"Yeah, it's a bitter pill to swallow when you're the only team that's been docked points and you see it happen Test match after Test match, after Test match."

The 36-year-old revealed it was difficult for him to watch the summit clash between India and New Zealand.

"I didn't watch too much of it. I watched the last day. I turned it on excited to watch the first day. I thought I was excited, and then got a bit dirty and didn't watch it."

"I tuned in for the last day and it was bloody exciting, it was great cricket to watch."

(With PTI inputs)

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