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Australia captain Tim Paine vows to tone down sledging

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 03:  Tim Paine of Australia celebrates after reaching his half century   during day two of the Second Test match during the
Image: Tim Paine says Australia under his leadership will be more respectful

Tim Paine says Australia will tone down their use of sledging under his leadership.

Paine was appointed Australia Test captain in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal, which saw previous skipper Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner stripped of their positions and handed one-year bans.

Cameron Bancroft, who attempted to alter the condition of the ball with sandpaper against South Africa in Cape Town, was also handed a nine-month ban and coach Darren Lehmann stepped down following the incident.

Wicketkeeper Paine has promised to shelve the behaviour which led to Cricket Australia conducting a review into the culture of the side, after criticism of some of the sledging aimed at England's Jonny Bairstow during the
Ashes.

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Richard Illingworth and Ian Gould discuss the fallout from the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

Asked if sledging will remain a part of the Australian team's tactics, Paine told cricket.com.au: "No, I don't think it will, not a lot.

"I think there's always a time and a place to talk to your opposition, but I think what's said and how it's said will be very different going forward.

"A lot of this stuff we were actually starting to speak about under Steve (Smith's captaincy) already.

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"A lot of the players had their head around the fact we needed to change the way we play. Some of those conversations were already being had.

Steve Smith (R) and Cameron Bancroft speak at a press conference during day three of the third test between South Africa and Australia at PPC Newlands on March 24, 2018
Image: Steve Smith (R) and Cameron Bancroft (L) were handed bans following the scandal

"I'm really looking forward to playing that role and winning back the trust and respect of our fans and the Australian public first and foremost. That's a really exciting thing for our playing group.

"We'll have a new coach going forward, we're going to have some time off where guys can take stock and think about he way they want to play.

"Certainly, playing international cricket you've got to be as competitive as you can be. But we've got to look at different ways of doing that and more respectful ways of putting opposition teams under the pump.

"Part of what we spoke about a lot is playing on skill, not emotion. I think in the last couple of years at times we've been a touch too emotional and got carried away on that side of the game. That's a small thing we can improve on."

Australia's next Test is not until October, when they face Pakistan, with a one-day series in England their next engagement.

Paine remains confident that those wearing the Baggy Green can win back the support of the Australian public.

David Warner during day three of the third test between South Africa and Australia at PPC Newlands in Cape Town on March 24, 2018
Image: David Warner, the vice-captain, was also involved in the tampering

"I don't think it's as disastrous as it's been made out," he added. "We've had this incident which has brought everything to a head.

"During the Ashes there wasn't a lot said about our culture and looking back it's just a few little things we can tweak and do a little bit better as a team.

"If we do that then I think the Australian public will jump back on board pretty quickly. That's one of our main aims for this coming summer."

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