The atmosphere of the deciding test in Gabba will be a bigger test says Philosopher Dr Simon Longstaff

Australian Test captain Tim Paine has been under a lot of scrutiny for his behaviour in the third test against India. Paine was involved in a verbal exchange with Ravichandran Ashwin and also used derogatory language towards umpire Paul Wilson.

The 36 year old was quick to apologize in a press conference and held himself responsible for his demeanor. Paine said, “I want to apologize for the way I went about things yesterday … my leadership wasn’t good enough, I let the pressure of the game get to me.”

Philosopher Dr. Simon Longstaff also had his say on Paine’s apology. Speaking to the Herald and The Age, Dr. Longstaff said, “Under these extraordinary circumstances you understand people can make a mistake then you see what is their response,”

“Do they take responsibility? Do they show evidence of remorse? Are they willing to work on this?”

“I think all of those things were evident in Tim Paine’s response yesterday. He’s had some time to think about it, work out what the appropriate thing to do and I hope he builds upon that.”

Dr Longstaff also mentioned, “It’s not what you do when you’ve had the chance to have a shower to think about it, it’s what do you do in the preparation and when you step onto the field,”

He also cited that the people around Tim Paine also have to take some responsibility for whatever went down in Sydney. “Remember it’s not Tim Paine as an individual but the team that he leads now that will give, by their conduct, an indication of the quality of his leadership and that of the leadership group around him.”

The 4th Test of the Border-Gavaskar series is set to be played in Brisbane starting January 15.