Paine steps down as Test captain after texting scandal

Hobart, Nov 19 (PTI): Australian Test captain Tim Paine on Friday stepped down from the post after being investigated by Cricket Australia for sending explicit messages to a female co-worker.
The messages date back to 2017, months before Paine was recalled to the Test team after a seven-year absence and a joint Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania investigation cleared Paine at the time. The development comes weeks ahead of the five-Test Ashes series against traditional rivals England. The first Test begins in Brisbane on December 8. “Today I am announcing my decision to stand down as captain of the Australian men’s cricket team. It’s an incredibly difficult decision but the right one for me, my family and cricket,” Paine said during a press conference. “Nearly four years ago, I was involved in a text exchange with a then-colleague. “Although exonerated I deeply regretted in incident at a time and I do so today. I spoke to my wife and family at a time and enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support,” he added. Paine will, however, continue to be a part of the Australian team.
Reports claimed a Cricket Tasmania employee was offended by “Mr Paine’s sexually explicit, unwelcome and unsolicited photograph of his genitals in addition to the graphic sexual comments.”
The 36-year-old was promoted as captain following the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018.
The board accepted Paine’s resignation and has started the process of identifying and appointing the next Test captain.
“We thought this incident was behind us. And that I could focus entirely on the team as I have done for the last three or four years.
“However, I recently became aware that this private text exchange was going to become public. On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain or the wider community,” Paine admitted.
He added, “I’m deeply sorry for the hurt and pain that I have caused to my wife, my family and to the other party. I’m sorry for any damage that this does to the reputation of our sport.