In response to Paine's resignation, fast bowler Pat Cummins was handed the captaincy<\/a> while former skipper Steve Smith was named vice-captain with the Ashes series beginning on December 8.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Supercars icon's startling Bathurst admission<\/a><\/p>\n While the future of Paine, who has also taken leave to take care of his mental health<\/a>, may appear in doubt, Langer said he wouldn't rule out seeing the 37-year-old make a return to the Australian side despite not being available for the Ashes.<\/p>\n "He's 37, he is as fit as any athlete, certainly in our squad and we have some fit athletes," Langer said during a press conference.<\/p>\n "He looks after himself so well, he's very focused.<\/p>\n "His number one priority is his family as you can imagine and that's how it should be, but I'm not sure we've seen the end of him.<\/p>\n "We will wait and see, that will be his decision."<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> AFL confirms radical fixture switch to begin 2022 season<\/a><\/p>\n Langer also confirmed that he recently visited Paine in his hometown of Hobart.<\/p>\n "He's one of my really close friends and someone I admire enormously… he's one of the best people I've met in the game of cricket," he said.<\/p>\n "He's been our captain for a long time and he and I have been through a journey, it was nice to go down and see him.<\/p>\n "When I saw him, he was shattered with what had happened.<\/p>\n "He's been such an exemplary figure in Australian cricket… his life has changed, but you'd have to ask him how he's going.<\/p>\n "It was important to see him, we talk about looking after our boys and having each other's backs. It was a no-brainer for me to go and see him."<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n
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