Notes

Tim Paine Steps down as Australia Test Captain Ahead of The Ashes Amid 'sexting' Scandal

Tim Paine has stepped down as captain of the Australia Test team less than three weeks prior to The Ashes over a sexting exchange with an ex-colleague.



The 36-year-old was slated to be the team's captain in the series against England which kicks off in Brisbane on December 8. But he had to make the "incredibly difficult decision to leave" the position.



The wicketkeeper-batsman did not discuss the nature and content of the messages in his resignation speech. However Cricket Australia's (CA news website) declared it to be "reveals of a sexting scandal involving an ex-Cricket Tasmania employee in 2017".



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CA announced it would accept the resignation and will appoint a new captain, but added the Tasmanian will be available for selection in the forthcoming series.



Pat Cummins, a fast bowler who is currently vice-captain. He is likely to become the team's new leader.



Paine spoke to reporters in Hobart and stated that even though it was a difficult decision but it was the right one for his family, him and cricket.



"As an explanation of my decision, nearly four years ago, I was involved in a text conversation with a former colleague.



"At the time the exchange was subject of a thorough CA (Cricket Australia) Integrity Unit investigation, throughout which I fully participated in and openly participated in.



"The investigation, in conjunction with a Cricket Tasmania HR investigation, found that there was not a breach of the Cricket Australia code.



"Although I was cleared, I deeply regret this incident at the time, and still do today."
SEXTING


Paine was unexpectedly elevated to become Australia's 46th captain of the Test team after Steve Smith's ban following the infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018.



Although the role was handed to him, he has earned mostly praise for his handling of the arduous dual roles of captain and wicketkeeper particularly in the 2019 Australian Ashes victory in England.



He added, "We thought that this incident was over and I could focus entirely on the team, which is what I have done for three or four years."



"But I didn't know that this private text exchange would be made public.



"On reflection my actions of 2017 do not match the standards of an Australian cricket captain or the wider community.



"I am deeply sorry for the pain and hurt that I have caused my wife, my family, and the other party.



"I apologize for any harm this could cause to the reputation of our sport and I believe it's the right choice to step down as captain effective immediately."



Paine who has played for Australia in 23 Tests, stated "I don't want this to be an unwelcome interruption to the team in advance of What's a huge Ashes Series."



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"I have loved my captaincy of the Australia cricket team, and it has been the highest honour of my sporting career to lead the Australian men’s Test team."



While Cummins seems to be the first to be considered for the job of taking the place of Paine, Australia have typically been extremely reluctant to have the captain who bowls. The last one was leg-spinning all-rounder Richie Benaud, in the early 1960s.


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