Ashes: Tim Paine best wicketkeeper in the world, should be selected for Gabba Test, says Nathan Lyon

Ashes 2021-22: Nathan Lyon said he wants the 'best wicketkeeper' Tim Paine to take the gloves in the opening Test against England at the Gabba, saying the dressing room fully backs the former captain.

Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon has backed Tim Paine to retain his place in the XI when the hosts take on England in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane from December 8. Paine quit as Australia Test captain over a sexting scandal wherein he sent explicit messages to a former female colleague at Tasmania Cricket.

Tim Paine was cleared of any misconduct after a Cricket Australia investigation into the issue following a complaint by the female colleague in 2018. Paine took over as Australia's Test captain in the same year following the Sandpaper Gate row in which Steve Smith lost his captaincy.