Australian Test Captain Tim Paine visited Lords for the World Cup Match between Australia and New Zealand on Saturday.
Paine is not part of the World Cup squad but Australian coach Justin Langer invited the test captain to join Aaron Finch and the Australian One day Team as they settle into preparation for the Ashes tour of the UK which starts on August 1. As always Lord’s the home Of Cricket will host a Test Match during the upcoming Ashes series.
Paine is in England with the Australia A squad which is currently playing One day matches. This week members of the Australian team who are preparing for the Ashes and not part of the World Cup squad trained with the red Duke ball.
Tim Paine’s Australian Test Team has not played a test match since the early February ending Test series which ended in Canberra against Sri Lanka. Some players like James Pattinson and Peter Siddle have been playing county cricket since May in the lead up to the Australia A tour with the main match taking place in Southampton from July 23 when Australia A play Australia where the final Ashes squad will be selected.
Tim Paine and Australian World Cup Captain Aaron Finch will Captain the Australian and Australia A teams in what is expected to be a highly interesting match.