'His leadership has been brilliant' – Justin Langer backs Tim Paine as Australia's long-term Test captain

Paine scored 79 in Australia's first innings of the Boxing Day Test against New Zealand in Melbourne, his second half-century in his last 16 Tests. It came in a 150-run sixth-wicket stand with Travis Head, which propelled Australia to 467 in their first innings, setting up the game. In addition, he effected eight dismissals across two innings.

Having secured his third series win at home as captain, Paine has left a great impression on Langer, who backed the wicket-keeper to continue leading Australia for the foreseeable future.

"Truthfully, I can't see one reason why he wouldn't [continue with Paine as captain]," Langer said. "His last game – you judge on his last performance – he was probably pushing to be Player of the Match. He had eight dismissals, 70-odd with the bat, and the way he played his innings was what was most exciting. The way he leads the group. I just literally can't think of one reason at the moment – he's so fit – as to why he wouldn't keep playing for as long as he wants to or needs to."

Paine had taken over captaincy duties from Steve Smith after the ball-tampering incident in Cape Town in March 2018. Since then, he has led Australia in 18 Tests, winning nine matches, with the Ashes in England being the highlight of his tenure.

"The truth is there's been conjecture from outside, there's never been one millisecond of conjecture from within our team," Langer added. "I said at the start of the summer, he's almost our most important player, because he's a very good leader, his captaincy is excellent, he's the best wicket-keeper in the world, he's as fit as anyone in the group.

"We knew that if he believed he could bat as well as we think he can, then you'll see results like we did in the last Test and at times during the Ashes. I hope he plays for as long as he possibly can because his leadership has been brilliant, working with the leadership group, I love working with him."

Australia won the first two Tests against New Zealand by huge margins in Perth and Melbourne. They clash again in the New Year's Test in Sydney from 3 January.