Paine not perfect but backed by Waugh

Nov 25, 2017 - 4:04 AM A dropped catch and 13 runs.

It's fair to say recalled Australian wicketkeeper Tim Paine's first Test in seven years doesn't look good on paper.

And it certainly hasn't stopped the constant ribbing of the once-forgotten Tasmanian on social media.

While national selector Mark Waugh admitted Paine "wasn't perfect", he still backed the 32-year-old's shock selection for the Ashes opener in Brisbane on Saturday.

After dropping a regulation chance off off-spinner Nathan Lyon in England's first innings of 302, Paine failed to shine with the bat on Saturday when he was caught behind off James Anderson for 13 to reduce Australia to a wobbly 6-202.

Four balls after Anderson took the second new ball Paine fell as part of a mini-collapse of 3-34, lasting just 42 balls.

But Waugh liked what he saw.

"He looked good, obviously a bit nervous, but the bowling was really good," Waugh told Fox Sports.

"They took the second new ball, James Anderson bowled good line and length and unfortunately he nicked one early - that can happen."

It still wasn't a good look for Paine who still has to silence the knockers after being picked for his first Test since 2010 despite not scoring a first class ton since 2006.

"Everyone is going to look at all our selections and what we are doing," Waugh said.

"I thought Tim Paine kept very well.

"He didn't drop a ball apart from that one catch, that happens.

"You always want to be perfect unfortunately he wasn't perfect in the first innings but he was very good."

Paine has been pilloried on social media since being recalled and his critics have not been short of more fodder in the first Test.

Even Paine's well documented seven finger operations that he endured during his seven year wait to again don the baggy green was fair game on Saturday.

"There are alcoholic butchers with more fingers than Tim Paine," ex-Test spinner Kerry O'Keefe said on Triple M.

Source: AAP