Skipper Tim Paine relieved as Australia secure first win since ‘sandpapergate’
Perth — Australia captain Tim Paine was a relieved man after his team beat India by 146 runs in Perth on Tuesday to level the series with their first Test win since the ball-tampering “sandpapergate” scandal that rocked cricket. Set 287 to win, India resumed at 115/5 on the final day and never threatened to pull off a miraculous victory, losing their last five wickets for just 21 runs. India were dismissed for 140, with spinner Nathan Lyon claiming 3/39 to finish with eight wickets for the match and guide the home team to a drought-breaking success, their first in seven Tests spanning almost 10 months. It was Paine’s first Test win in five matches since taking over from the suspended Steve Smith in SA, and also the first victory for new coach Justin Langer, coming in his hometown. Paine, who was involved in a verbal spat with Indian counterpart Virat Kohli on the third and fourth days, said the overwhelming emotion was relief at finally being able to put a dark period in Australian ...
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