I was looking to probably retire: Tim Paine

Australian wicket-keeper Tim Paine who is set to play the 3-T20I series against India was on a verge on retiring six months ago. Paine has been hit by several injuries through out his career but he is in no modd to dwell on the past and instead focusing on the games ahead. Australia have earlier lost the ODI series to India 1-4.

Paine had almost made up his mind to take up a job with Kookaburra in Melbourne. But afterwards, a contract extension with Tasmania convinced him to keep playing. Paine has replaced Matthew Wade, who failed miserable during the series against Bangladesh, followed by the one against Virat Kohli‘s men.

“For me to sit back and be bitter about what happened would be pretty silly,” he said in Ranchi on Friday ahead of Australia’s T20 series against India.

“Even before getting back into the Twenty20 side, I’ve been proud of what I’ve achieved in cricket and I’ll always look back on it fondly, not at what might have been. I’m happy with how it’s gone so far, I’ve been really lucky and I’m hopeful it can continue for a few years.” he added.

Paine was on the verge of retirement

“I was looking to probably retire,” he said. “It’s turned around really quickly and I’m very grateful that it has. I know it’s a bit of a cliche, but for someone of my age and in my position, it’d be foolish to look too far ahead,” he said. “I’ve tried to keep reminding that of myself as well.”

“I think I’m one of the best wicketkeepers in Australia and I’ve always said that and always felt that. The area that has let me down in the past two or three years has been my batting. I feel now I’m keeping as well as I ever have, I just need to put some runs on the board. And as we’ve seen in the past few days, if you start well in Australia and have a good series here, there’s some huge opportunities in Australian cricket.” Paine added.