It has been seven long years since Tim Paine played a Test for Australia – and plenty has changed.
That Test was in India in October 2010, the great Sachin Tendulkar scoring a double century and unbeaten 53 in a seven-wicket win for the host. In Brisbane next week, Paine will feature in a Test for Australia for the first time since then, in the Ashes opener against England.
The 32-year-old wicketkeeper will be the only player at the Gabba that played that Test against India.
Read: Smith backs terrific 'Paine' ahead of Ashes
Then, Shane Watson and Simon Katich were Australia's openers in a formidable top five that included greats Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey.
Mitchell Johnson was also part of the touring team, coming in at No. 8 – behind Paine, who made scores of 59 and 23 to leave his Test average at 35.87, but Brad Haddin would keep him out of the side in the years that followed.
Read: Australia's Paine pick an astonishing gamble
Also among Paine's team-mates in India were...
Marcus North
North batted at No. 6, which shapes as a problem position for Australia ahead of the Ashes. He finished his career having played 21 Tests, scoring five centuries and averaging 35.48.
Nathan Hauritz
The off-spinner never truly delivered in the Test arena. Hauritz played 17 Tests, taking 63 wickets at an average of 34.98. He did manage two half-centuries with the bat. Hauritz had match figures of 3 for 229 against India.
Ben Hilfenhaus
The seamer had a decent Test career when given his chance. Hilfenhaus finished with 99 Test wickets at a respectable average of 28.50.
Peter George
This marked George's one and only Test. The paceman finished with match – and career – figures of 2 for 77, while scoring two runs.
Comments
SHARE