Tim Paine is OUT of first Ashes Test as he takes leave from all forms of cricket after resigning as captain over sexually explicit texts
Tim Paine is taking a leave of absence from all forms of cricket ‘for the foreseeable future’.
Paine stood down as Australia’s men’s Test captain last week after revelations of a sexting scandal in 2017.
Australia teammates wanted the veteran wicketkeeper to play the first Test at the Gabba, but Cricket Tasmania says Paine will miss Friday’s one-dayer and take a break from playing.
Tim Paine is taking a leave of absence from all forms of cricket ‘for the foreseeable future’
The married father of two (pictured with wife Bonnie) sent a female staffer from Cricket Tasmania a number of suggestive texts as well as a unsolicited image
Paine, 36, confirmed he would no longer lead the team ahead of the Ashes in a press conference last Friday after a sexting scandal from 2017 was made public.
An emotional Paine said his decision to stand down was ‘incredibly difficult’ – but was the ‘right one for me, my family and cricket’.
‘Nearly four years ago, I was involved in a text exchange with a then-colleague,’ Paine said.
‘At the time, the exchange was the subject of a thorough CA Integrity Unit investigation, throughout which I fully participated in and openly participated in.
‘That investigation and a Cricket Tasmania HR investigation at the same time found that there had been no breach of the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct.
‘Although exonerated, I deeply regretted this incident at the time, and still do today. I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support.’
Paine, a father of two, went onto add he was recently made aware his lewd conduct was about to made public and that his actions were unacceptable in his coveted role as the Test captain of Australia.
‘I’m deeply sorry for the hurt and pain that I have caused to my wife, my family, and to the other party,’ he said.
‘I’m sorry for any damage that this does to the reputation of our sport. I do not want this to become an unwelcome disruption to the team ahead of what is a huge Ashes series.
‘I have loved my role as captain of the Australian cricket team. It’s been the greatest privilege of my sporting life to lead the Australian men’s test team. I’m grateful for the support of my teammates and proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together.’
Paine also asked for ‘understanding and forgiveness’ from his teammates before also apologising to cricket fans across the nation.
Tim Paine’s rise and dramatic fall in sexting scandal
Australian captain Tim Paine walks to change ends during a cricket test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia on Jan. 9, 2021
2010: Tim Paine makes his Test debut against Pakistan, replacing injured Brad Haddin, but is dumped upon the incumbent’s return
April 2016: Paine marries Bonnie Maggs
November 17, 2017: Granted shock recall for Ashes series
November 22-23, 2017: Paine sends lewd messages to a female coworker on the eve and morning of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane. The pair had exchanged texts throughout the year
January 2018: Selected for squad to tour South Africa
March 25, 2018: Appointed interim captain after Steve Smith and David Warner stood down over ‘sandpapergate’ ball tampering scandal
March 28, 2018: Paine is appointed captain for the 4th Test of the series, becoming the 46th captain of the Australian side
April 2018: Awarded a national contract by Cricket Australia
June 2018: Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania become aware of the messages and launch an investigation, following a complaint from the woman. Paine claims he was exonerated during the investigation. His wife Bonnie was aware of the messages but chose to stick by him
2018 – 2021: Paine continues as Test captain, retaining the Ashes in England in 2019
November 19, 2021: Paine steps down as full details of the explicit messages surface