Cricket
ESPNcricinfo staff 6y

'Pick the best keeper in the country'

ENG tour of AUS and NZ 2017-18, Cricket

Tim Paine is not even the first-choice keeper for his state team, so his elevation to the national side as a gloveman caused plenty of debate.

Former Australian legspinner Stuart MacGill was blunt, as ever.

The sheer lack of games behind the stumps for Paine made it an incredible selection.

Then there was the lack of runs.

Paine averages 29 in his first-class career, and just 20.40 in the past two years.

Paine had his share of backers too though, including experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Ludeman.

And former Tasmania medium-pacer Tim Macdonald.

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