Recalled Paine fluffs lines on Ashes stage

Nov 23, 2017 - 9:16 AM Nice, Garry. Not so nice, Tim.

Recalled Australian wicketkeeper Tim Paine has realised his worst nightmare in his shock comeback, spilling a chance to dismiss England dangerman James Vince off cult hero Nathan Lyon in the first Ashes Test.

Paine was dubbed "Australia's best wicketkeeper" by selectors when they justified plucking the 32-year-old from obscurity to play his first Test in seven years for the Ashes opener in Brisbane.

And at first, Paine's only problem on Thursday seemed to be getting the "Nice, Garry" catchphrase right after each Lyon delivery.

The tag line coined by the man he replaced in the Test gloves - good mate Matthew Wade - and named after former AFL player Garry Lyon could only be heard on the stump mikes by first slip Steve Smith after England won the toss.

Paine put his own twist on it with "Gorgeous, Garry", "Beautiful, Garry" or "Oh yeah, Gaz" regularly heard.

But there were only groans audible behind the wicket when Paine spilled a regulation chance off Lyon with Vince on 68 in day one's middle session.

Smith threw his head up in despair as Paine made a meal of the rare chance following wonderful pressure from Lyon.

"I am sure he would be very disappointed. He keeps pretty high standards," Australian quick Pat Cummins said.

"Hearing him speak to Hads (fielding coach Brad Haddin) he was in a perfect position it just bounced a bit and didn't stick but I thought he was outstanding today."

Offspinner Lyon finally got his man when he spectacularly ran out Vince for a Test-high 83 with a direct hit early in the final session.

Still, Paine's glovework behind the stumps has now come under question after the potentially costly miss. "You don't look for what might happen, you watch for what is happening and he wasn't quite ready for what came to him," ex-Test 'keeper Ian Healy said of Paine's mistake.

All eyes were on Paine after he received a surprise call-up as Test 'keeper despite donning the gloves in only three Sheffield Shield games in the past two years for Tasmania.

But stepping up on the Ashes stage, Paine appeared to fluff his lines.

Source: AAP