After former Australian captain Steve Smith admitted to involvement in a ball-tampering incident during the Third Test against South Africa in March 2018, Smith and vice-captain David Warner were stood down from their leadership positions mid-match. Paine was announced as the interim captain for the final two days, although only one was required to complete the match. He was confirmed as the 46th Captain of the Australian Test side on 28 March 2018 by Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland when Smith and Warner were suspended and sent back to Australia with Cameron Bancroft.