South Africa vs Australia 4th Test: Despite Fractured Thumb Tim Paine Scores a Fighting Half-Century
The 33-year-old despite fracture resumed his innings on day three and scored a fighting half-century.
Australia’s newly appointed captain Tim Paine batting against all the odds scored a half-century during the fourth and final Test against South Africa in Johannesburg. While keeping wickets, Paine suffered a hairline fracture on his right thumb. The wicketkeeper on day two was hit on the hand while standing up to Chadd Sayers' bowling when an edge from Quinton de Kock's bat hit him on the hand. Paine despite being hit came out to bat on day two after his side was in trouble at 96 for five.
The 33-year-old then resumed his innings on day three and scored a fighting half-century. He added 99 runs for the seventh wicket with Pat Cummins to take his side close to 200-run mark. During his resilient knock, Paine went on to notch his fourth Test fifty. Cummins also scored a half-century. Their partnership ended as Cummins was trapped leg before wickets by Keshav Maharaj.
After the partnership ended, Australia lost two quick wickets and that prompted Paine to go on an attack. However, the Australian skipper was the last wicket to fell as Dean Elgar took a sensational catch to dismiss him. Paine scored 62 off 96 balls as Australia were dismissed for 221 in their first innings. South Africa earlier had put mammoth 488 on board and thanks to the massive 267-run lead are in a comfortable position in the final Test.
Paine was handed the captaincy duty during the third Test when Steve Smith was found involved in the ball-tampering. Following, Smith’s ban Paine was named the captain for the fourth Test.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 01, 2018 06:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).