Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine says Adelaide Oval will perfectly suit England’s aggressive approach as they seek to fight back in the lopsided series
Tim Paine likes ripping into England’s cricketers as much as any Australian, but says it’s folly to write off the tourists in the Ashes just yet.
The former Australia captain believes the third Test venue, Adelaide Oval, is perfectly suited to England’s gung-ho approach which has spectacularly backfired so far.
Australia hold a 2-0 series lead entering the Adelaide Test starting next Wednesday and while Paine has found some humour in England’s troubles, he’s wary.
“England, at times, are probably giving them opportunities they shouldn’t,” Paine told reporters on Thursday at Adelaide Oval.
“It’s like Australia are just playing the percentages really well and England are making the same mistakes.
“Having said that, I think if England get it right, they’re going to be really dangerous.
“If there’s any wicket and ground in the country that suits them more than this, I don’t think there is one – so there will be a fascinating Test match.”
The tourists have spent recent days in Noosa in Queensland after copping an eight-wicket loss in the second Test in Brisbane – the same result as the series-opener in Perth.
“Even though the Test matches have been quick, they’ve been thoroughly entertaining, at times humorous, depending on who you support,” Paine said.
“But I love the way both teams are going about it. They’re sticking to their guns.
“England aren’t backing down from their attacking approach and their laid-back approach, as you can see by the time they’ve spent up in Noosa this week.
“But at the end of the day, both teams are judged on the results and what you do between Tests is a bit irrelevant.”
Paine was an unabashed admirer of England’s ultra-aggressive approach.
“I don’t mind ripping into them, like most Australians, but I enjoy watching them play,” he said.
“It hasn’t worked out for them yet in Australia … but I really enjoy what they’re trying to do, the mindset around it, and freeing players up to play their best.
“There is a lot of talented players playing first-class cricket and Test cricket who can’t get into that sweet spot so I like where they’re heading with it.”
Paine believed much of England’s hopes rested on the duel between paceman Jofra Archer and Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith after the pair exchanged sledges in Brisbane.
“Another battle that Smithy won, so he continues to build his record against him,” Paine said.
“And there’s a lot of huff and puff from big Jof at the moment … Steve Smith is winning that battle hands down and it’s really a crucial battle to the rest of the Ashes series.”
And Paine reckoned the Test future of Usman Khawaja, who will turn 39 during the Adelaide encounter, hinged on tactics rather than ability.
“Usman has done a great job for Australia in tough circumstances,” he said.
“Heady has been awesome when he’s gone up. Does he do it again this week? I’m not quite sure.
“I wouldn’t mind watching Heady come out at five on a hot day in Adelaide with 200 on the board and seeing what he can do, he’s a bums on seat cricketer wherever he bats.
“It’s comes down to the strategy.
“Do they want someone that’s going to face a lot of balls and make it easier for the middle order?
“Or do they want to throw Heady up again and put them under pressure from the get-go?”
2025-26 NRMA Insurance Men’s Ashes
First Test: Australia won by eight wickets
Second Test: Australia won by eight wickets
Third Test: December 17-21: Adelaide Oval, 10:30am AEDT
Fourth Test: December 26-30: MCG, Melbourne, 10:30am AEDT
Fifth Test: January 4-8: SCG, Sydney, 10:30am AEDT
Australia squad (second Test only): Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
England squad: Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook (vc), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue
