Former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior says Australian captain Tim Paine has “a target on his back” following his “disrespectful” remarks towards rival skipper Joe Root.
As England sought assurances from Cricket Australia and health authorities over restrictions that might be in place for the summer, Paine declared earlier this month that the Ashes would go ahead “whether Joe’s here or not”.
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“I don’t care who comes, I really don’t,” Paine said at the time.
Paine’s comments drew ridicule from the Barmy Army, who tweeted a comparison of his career batting record against that of Joe Root in 2021, a connection Paine pointed out was laughable given his primary role as wicketkeeper.
Prior, whose 79 Test matches included Ashes tours to Australia in 2010-11 and 2013-14, said the
“For one captain to show a fair bit of disdain and disrespect to another captain is not what anyone wants to see,” Prior told indiabetting.co.in.
“I’ve played against him a few times and he’s a nice guy, so it’s quite surprising to see what he’s been saying because it goes against him as a character.
“He’s got a target on his back now.”
Paine has said he “absolutely loved” the banter that has preceeded the Ashes, which is still more than a month away.
Prior, one of only two wicketkeepers in Test history with more than 200 dismissals and a batting average over 40, noted that the build-up to an Ashes series is like no other.
“The Barmy Army have already pointed out that Joe Root has almost scored more runs this year than Tim has in his entire career, and those are the things that nobody would have even looked at if Tim Paine doesn’t say the things that he does,” Prior explained.
“He’s made them now and he’s got a target on his back, but he’s the Australian captain so he’s always going to have a target on his back. He’ll have his own reasons for doing that.
“The Ashes are unique and everyone gets a bit carried away and it can all get a bit ridiculous, it always has and we know how it works.”
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