Ashes 2019: Tim Paine Lost A 'Bit Of Sleep' Thinking About Ben Stokes

Skipper Paine further stated that they have some plans and now they only need to execute them

England all-rounder Ben Stokes played a memorable innings in the third Ashes Test to thump the Aussies by 1 wicket. His unbeaten 135-run knock not only turned the game upside down but helped the Englishmen levelling the series 1-1. After England all-rounder Ben Stokes took away the victory from Australia's hands, Aussie captain Tim Paine said he lost a ‘bit of sleep’ strategising how his team is going to tackle the 28-year-old on the field. “I haven't lost a hell of a lot of sleep thinking about my captaincy, but I have lost a bit of sleep thinking how we're going to get Stokes out,” ICC quoted Paine as saying. Skipper Paine further stated that they have some plans and now they only need to execute them. “He's a class player and he's really confident at the moment. He's going well. We've got some plans for him, but we've just got to execute them a bit better,” he said. Steve Smith is set to make a return in the series after missing out the third Ashes Test match due to concussion. Paine said that everyone in the world is looking forward to watching the 30-year-old bat. “I think everyone in the world is looking forward to watching Steve Smith bat. Steve has missed one Test match, he hasn't been out for 12 months. He came back from a 12-month layoff pretty well, so I expect he will handle six days without batting pretty well,” Paine said. The fourth Ashes Test match between Australia and England will commence from September 4.