Tim Paine doing "a wonderful job" as Australia captain, says Adam Gilchrist

Paine recorded his first first-class century for more than a decade as Tasmania drew with Western Australia

Adam Gilchrist has praised Tim Paine for “doing a wonderful job” since the Australian was thrust into the captaincy role following the ball-tampering scandal in 2018.

The former wicketkeeper is quoted by ESPNCricinfo as defending Paine, who endured a poor Ashes series with the bat as the tourists retained the urn by drawing the series with England.

Paine averaged just 20 with the bat across ten innings, passing fifty on a solitary occasion. However, he has rediscovered some of his best form since returning to Tasmania duty in the Sheffield Shield.

The 34-year-old has played just twice since getting his hands on the Ashes at The Oval in September, but he recorded his first first-class century for more than a decade as Tasmania drew with Western Australia.

It brought to an end a remarkable run for Paine; his only previous hundred had come in just his fifth Shield game in 2006, when he made 215.

However, he remains a highly respected leader as he became the first Australian captain since Steve Waugh in 2001 to leave an Ashes series in England with the urn in Australian hands.

“What he took on, when he took it on, he in partnership with Justin [Langer] and all the players have done a remarkable job over the past 12 months to just get a nice, stable balance back,” Gilchrist added.

“I can't see any rush to push him out, as long as he's still performing, like we all had to, to stay in the team.

“Like every other player, he's got a hold of his spot in the team as being selected as the best available option for that player type. I think he's doing a wonderful job.”