I tend to use the Marcellus Wallace line "If you were gonna make it...you would have made it by now" Paine is the man for the job, but it's literally old mother hubbard's cupboard, I thought Whiteman was the one but he's had a horror run with injuries, Nevill is awfully stiff and I think he's a better keeper and bat than Paine but he couldn't be Captain even though he does it for NSW. It's a shambles and an accurate reflection of how the CA systems are (not) working.I don't really see it with Carey just yet, at least not to warrant selection ahead of Paine, if we're looking at form.
Admittedly, Paine was picked on feeling rather than on a weight of runs, but he has done a good job with the bat and gloves since his return. I doubt he'll maintain his current average but 38 is very good. We're not going to get hundreds out of him but he's made several valuable knocks. Also does a good job with the gloves. He seems to be one of those players that steps up to the national level with his technique.