Ace off-spinner Nathan Lyon on Thursday
said “Tim Paine is the best skipper in the world” and he should keep the stumps
for the Australian Test team in the upcoming Ashes Test series against England.
Lyon’s statement came after Paine resigned from captaincy facing backlash for
his alleged involvement in the sexting scandal.

Last week the 36-year-old veteran of 35
Tests stepped down in tears after a leaked sext surfaced on social media.
Paine’s decision to resign from captaincy with three weeks to go for the Ashes
left Cricket Australia in trouble.

Australian dressing room wants Paine back

Lyon, who has shared a strong bonding with
Paine since the latter was appointed captain of the Australian Test team
following the ball-tampering scandal in 2018, told reporters on Thursday that
Paine should keep the stumps.

“The selectors said they were going to pick
the best available XI. In my eyes, Tim Paine is the best keeper in the world,”
Lyon said.

“This is very selfish: From a bowler’s
point of view I want the best gloveman behind the stumps. Every bowler’s
relationship with the keeper is exceptional,” he added.

A veteran of 100 Tests, Lyon is on the verge of completing 400
scalps in the Brisbane Test. He said Paine was a “very lovable guy and very well
respected”, making it clear that the former captain has the team’s full support
despite the criticism he has been facing due to the scandal.

The Ashes 2021-22 between Australia and
England will begin on December 8 in Brisbane.

“Paine has my full support”

“I’m pretty sure I am speaking on behalf of
every bowler that we want the best keeper,” Lyon said.

“He has got my full support and I 100 per
cent guarantee he’s got the full support of the Australian change room,” the
34-year-old added.

Meanwhile, the play was abandoned on the
third day of England’s warm-up against England Lions due to rain at Wellington
Point, with Haseeb Hameed (53) and Rory Burns (39) both unbeaten at the crease.

Australia and England will play a
five-match series with the final scheduled at Perth’s Optus Stadium on January
14.