'Good to get a little reward’ – Tim Paine on first Test win as captain

Perth, Dec 18 (UNI) Tim Paine, the Australia captain, was understandably delighted, and a little bit relieved, after the team secured its first win under his captaincy.
Australia brushed India aside by 146 runs in the second Test in Perth, and restored parity to the four-match series.
It was their first victory in a Test since Paine took over leadership following the bans of Steve Smith and David Warner in March in the aftermath of the ball-tampering scandal.
Paine had endured losses to South Africa, Pakistan and in Adelaide against India before securing a maiden victory in his fifth match as Australia skipper.
“It’s probably more of a relief, at the moment. The first Test win has taken a while since everything that’s happened, so I’m really proud of all our players and our staff,” he said.
“We’ve worked really hard, and internally, we know we can keep getting better. We’ve been improving over the last few months and it’s really good to get a little bit of reward,” said Paine.
The difference between two sides with “two really good fast-bowling attacks” came down to the batting.
While Australia managed to post 326 in the first innings, with Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris putting on 112 for the opening wicket, India relied heavily on Virat Kohli’s 123 to reach 283 in reply, an ICC report said.
Paine heaped praise on his batters. “For Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch, playing in their second and third or fourth Test, to get us to none for 100 in that first session was really good batting, and probably the difference between the two sides in the end,” said Paine.
“Uzzie (Usman Khawaja) has been batting really well for a long time. The Indian attack is disciplined and are bowling really well to all of us. We’ve got to be really patient," he said.
"Uzzie is in a really good place. He’s really calm at the crease, and if he keeps batting like he is at the moment, we’re sure some big runs are going to come," the Australia captain said.
As important to Australia’s victory was Nathan Lyon. His eight wickets in the match – on a pitch made for pacemen – helped turned the tide in their favour, and the off-spinner was named Player of the Match for his performance.
“My role probably changed a bit, from attacking in Adelaide to defending over here,” said Lyon. “I wasn’t getting as much purchase as I’d liked."
“Luckily enough, they ran down the wicket for me and created a few foot holes. It’s just about knowing my role in a pretty special bowling attack,” he said.
The wicket of Kohli, he said, was special. “When you come up against the best in the world – and Virat is the best batter in the world – and to compete against him and take his wicket is pretty special,” Lyon said.
“I certainly enjoyed it, and I’m sure the rest of the boys enjoyed it as well. He’s the No.1, and if we can keep working hard on our plans against him, hopefully we’ll get a little bit reward and win the series,” he added.
The third Test, starting on Boxing Day, will be played in Melbourne.

Australia have named an unchanged 13-man squad for the remaining two Tests.