Australia Test captain Tim Paine took a sly dig at Virat Kohli on Sunday, saying they will seek Indian captains "permission" to start the Test series in Brisbane and may even play a day-night match "if he is in good mood". (More Cricket News)
On a busy day featuring three Test matches -- Australia beating Pakistan inside four days, New Zealand taking control over England and India thrashing Bangladesh inside three days -- Paine's long-distance sledging made the news. And as expected it became one of the biggest talking points with fans taking to social media sites to share their opinions, on everything that's India-Australia rivalry and the love-hate relationship between the two captains.
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Here's the crux of the story:
India's last tour of Australia finished with a historic, first-ever series victory for Kohli's side.
Earlier, Kohli had said that India would be interested to play a pink-ball Test Down Under if his team is allowed to play a practice match in similar conditions.
Paine hopes Australia continue with the tradition of playing their first home Test at the Gabba after a crushing victory over Pakistan at the venue - provided they get Kohli's permission. A fine century from the brilliant Babar Azam was not enough to prevent Pakistan slipping to an innings defeat on Sunday, the tourists bowled out for 335 in their second innings.
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The result stretches Australia's unbeaten run at the venue to 31 Tests – the last visiting team to triumph in Brisbane was West Indies in 1988 – and puts them 1-0 up in the two-match series.
However, Paine is unsure if they will be starting at the Gabba again next year, cheekily suggesting the potential schedule for the four-Test series against India is yet to receive the approval of counterpart Kohli.
Asked if he would like to start against India at the same venue, the wicketkeeper replied: "We'll certainly try. We will have to run that by Virat, but we will get an answer from him at some stage, I'm sure.
Watch Paine's post-match press conference:
"That’s where we like to start our summer, as has been the case for a long, long time.
Also Read: Australia Crush Pakistan At The Gabba
"As I said, we will ask Virat and see if we can get his permission to play here – maybe even get a pink-ball Test if he's in a good mood. We will have to wait and see."
Paine added: "We like to start here against anyone. Having said that, it [the venue] doesn't win games of cricket. The reason we win games of cricket at the Gabba is because we outplay our opposition."
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Australia certainly outplayed Pakistan, aided by a new-look top three all contributing big scores.
David Warner returned to form after a lean Ashes tour with 154, while opening partner Joe Burns fell narrowly short of reaching three figures, making 97 after being recalled to the top of the order.
There was also a maiden Test ton for number three Marnus Labuschagne, who was named man of the match for his 185 that helped the hosts post 580 all out in their solitary innings in the contest.
While refusing to get too carried away by the early success, Paine hopes Australia have now settled on their batting line-up in the longest format.
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"We've known Burnsy is a quality opening batsman for some time, it's great to have him back in the side," he said. "He's got a great combination happening with David.
"Marnus was given some opportunities 18 months ago when some people thought he should not, but the selectors saw the talent he had, and he's taken the experience he got then from Test cricket, gone to England and got even better, come home and looks like he got better again.
"We're really happy with the top three in this game. One innings doesn't make a summer, but happy with the positive signs we saw."
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Australia and Pakistan conclude the series with a day-night Test in Adelaide, which begins on Friday.
(With inputs from Omnisport)
