Australian batter Marcus Harris said the playing group only found out about Tim Paine’s impending resignation half an hour before it was announced to the world.
“There wasn’t much time to digest it, but it was a shock,” Harris told reporters on Wednesday.
“Tim’s obviously been a greater leader around the group, he’s always been really good to me and my family – our hearts when out for Tim, and Bonnie, and the kids and his family.”
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Harris said that Paine’s mental character would carry him through the saga and that despite losing his role as the team leader, he was still a well-liked and integral part of the set-up.
The opener flat-batted questions about whether Paine should still be the captain, as you’d expect – but did say that he was looking forward to seeing the former skipper when he links up with the squad in the coming days.
“As long as it’s COVID-safe I’ll give him a hug,” he joked.
Paine will remain in the team, but Harris said there’s no shortage of leaders in the camp ahead of the first Test, which starts in two weeks.
“People were a bit shocked, but we’ve got leaders around our group – so it’s not ideal, but someone’s going to have to step up and lead from the front and there’s plenty of people who can do that job.”
Harris said despite no longer being captain, there was no doubt Paine still belonged.
“Absolutely, he’s done a really good job in the last two years under tough circumstances, and I think you’d probably still argue that he’s still the best gloveman in the country,” Harris said.
“He still played a few important innings last summer against India, and I know he’s got the support of all the players – all that other stuff’s up to people above me.”
Harris said neither Paine nor coach Justin Langer had addressed the squad directly, but that each individual member had reached out to the former captain.
“Probably everyone’s spoken to him personally, I sent him a message the other day and spoke to him a little bit. Obviously Painey’s a very popular member of the group.
“When you have things going on, sometimes the best thing to do is actually be out in the middle and playing cricket and taking your mind off things.”
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