Tim Paine could be in hot water for swearing and questioning the judgement of the match officials after a DRS review for a catch at short leg was shot down.

The incident occurred in the 56th over of India’s innings in the third Test at the SCG, with Australia going up for a bat-pad catch at short leg against Cheteshwar Pujara off the bowling of Nathan Lyon. Paine reacted excitedly to the Snickometer display as the ball passed the bat, only to be mystified when the review wasn’t upheld.

For once it looked like it took an explanation from Marnus Labuschagne of all people to explain to Paine why Pujara was given not out by the DRS #AUSvIND

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 8, 2021

He was then heard discussing the decision with umpire Paul ‘Blocker’ Wilson. “He’s making the decision, not me, I’m not third umpire,” Wilson explained to Paine, in an attempt to assuage the Australia captain.

“F***ing consistency, Blocker,” Paine replied. “There’s a thing that goes past it.”

Did anyone else hear this after Australia's unsuccessful DRS on Pujara?
Umpire Paul Wilson responding to Tim Paine's protest: "He's making the decision, not me, I'm not third umpire."
Tim Paine: "Fucking consistency, Blocker, there's a thing (spike) that goes past it." #AUSvIND

— Andrew Wu (@wutube) January 8, 2021

Paine’s complaints over consistency are an apparent reference to his second-innings dismissal in the second Test at the MCG. Paine voiced his displeasure at that decision after Australia’s series-levelling defeat.

“I knew I didn’t hit it. It is what it is,” he told ABC Grandstand. “My thing with Snicko is it doesn’t differentiate what the noise is. It could have been anything. If I’m totally honest with what happened yesterday, I wasn’t too upset with the technology, I was upset with the use of the technology. I thought there was other angles that should have been looked at before that was given out that showed I didn’t hit the ball.”

A side-by-side of the Snicko portions of the two reviews shows the decision in which Paine was given out to have more of a spike, though the line is not completely flat in the second.

Not out vs out.

Completely understandable frustration from Paine here. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/P7hQzijyKF

— Tim Paine Fans (@TimPaineFans) January 8, 2021

Paine was criticised by users on social media for his outburst, and could be in line for a punishment from the ICC. Both use of an obscenity and dissent at an umpire’s decision are offences under the ICC’s code of conduct. While the former is only a Level 1 offence, if the latter is adjudged to be a Level 2 breach, Paine would receive at least one suspension point. However, he’s unlikely to be banned for the last game of the series, with an accumulation of two suspension points needed to rule a player out of a Test match.

Tim Paine coming across as a bit of a whinger. No evidence at all that he's hit it…

Paine: "[Have some] f**king consistency Blocker, there's a thing that goes past it." #AUSvIND

— Guy Heveldt (@GuyHeveldt) January 8, 2021

This is Australia's captain ladies and gentlemen. True leadership 👏👏🙄 #AUSvsIND https://t.co/763IdSFU7R

— Clint Stevens (@clintstevens123) January 9, 2021

As a reminder: Tim Paine is the 'nice one' in the Australian team. #AUSvIND https://t.co/OsgbUitrMc

— Being Outside Cricket (@OutsideCricket) January 9, 2021