Ben Stokes’ historic 182-run haul towards New Zealand had Tim Paine impressed however the former Australian Test captain will not be standing down on his tackle the England star’s comeback.
Paine was extremely crucial of Stokes’ resolution to return out of one-day worldwide retirement forward of the 50-over World Cup, describing it as an “interesting” name — however not in a great way.
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“Ben Stokes coming out of one day retirement, I found that interesting,” Paine instructed SEN Tasmania on the time.
“It was a bit of, ‘Me, me, me’, there isn’t it? It was, ‘I’ll pick and I’ll choose where I want to play and when I want to play’, and, ‘I’ll play in the big tournaments’.
“The guys who played for 12 months, ‘Sorry, thanks. But can you go and sit on the bench because I want to play now?’ I don’t know, he’s not bowling.
“Harry Brook or Ben Stokes? As a bat. It would be very close, very, very close.”
Stokes despatched a transparent warning forward of the World Cup along with his 182-run knock towards New Zealand, which was England’s highest ever one-day worldwide rating.
It was simply Stokes’ third innings since backflipping on his retirement from the format, with teammate Chris Woakes describing it as a “superhuman” effort.
While complimentary of Stokes’ efficiency, Paine maintained it was a “selfish” resolution to return out of retirement within the first place.
Brent Costelloe introduced up Stokes’ dominant show on SEN Cricket, noting that Paine had been on the receiving finish of some backlash from England followers within the wake of the feat.
Paine although was fast to defend what he mentioned in a tense change between the pair.
Costelloe: “I’ve noticed the tweets fired up last night about people with you and Ben Stokes off the back of England’s highest-ever ODI score?”
Paine: “Did he? Oh awesome, good on him. What, in a dead rubber?”
Costelloe: “Don’t be sarcastic.”
Paine: “Why would people be tweeting me about Ben Stokes scoring runs? I said he’s one of the best players in the world.”
Costelloe: “Because you said he’s being selfish by putting himself in the ODI team.”
Paine: “He is. He said it himself… he wants to be known as someone who wins World Cups. Cool. I have no issue with that. Just don’t retire in the first place.”
Costelloe: “I think you’re being a little bit harsh.”
Paine: “He said during the Ashes he knew he was going to come out of retirement. That’s my only issue Brent. I didn’t say he couldn’t play. Clearly he is an absolute gun.”
Costelloe: “Why can’t he change his mind? There have been so many people who have retired and come back. What’s the difference?”
Paine: “I don’t like that either.”
Costelloe: “Have you got a chip on your shoulder about Ben Stokes?”
Paine: “No I don’t. I couldn’t care less. It’s got nothing to do with him.”
Costelloe: “What if things suddenly change in your life?”
Paine: “I didn’t like it when Mal Michael did it either, forced his way out of Brisbane to Essendon.”
Costelloe: “What if you suddenly have a change of heart though? You can’t do that?”
Paine: “Well if there’s any chance you might have a change of heart, don’t retire. He retired and then he backed it up again in an interview and said there is no chance in June.”
Costelloe: “Don’t point at me, it’s not my fault.”
Paine: “I’ve had enough here but mate, what a player. If you watched highlights of the innings, my God. Did we say they’re probably favourites now that he’s playing, particularly if he’s playing well? Yes, probably. Although they haven’t been playing the best cricket, England.”
Originally printed as Tim Paine blasts Ben Stokes’ ‘selfish’ World Cup name regardless of historic act
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
