Australia Captain Tim Paine Steps Down After 'Sexting Scandal', Apologises To Fans & Family

Tim Paine Steps Down As Australia Captain: A report in the Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper said that Paine's text messages which were sent in 2017 also had a 'lewd photo'. 

Tim Paine in January 2021. (Image: AFP)

Tim Paine stepped down as Australia's Test captain on Friday for sending 'inappropriate messages' to a female co-worker in 2017. Although Cricket Australia exonerated him of any breach of its code of conduct.

He apologised to his fans, wife and family for being his 'loyal support'. 

Paine announced this in a press conference from Hobart. The governing body accepted his resignation and the text messages with the female co-worker were made public. 

"Although exonerated, I deeply regretted this incident at the time, and still do today," said Paine. "I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support," he added.

A report in the Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper said that Paine's text messages which were sent in 2017 also had a 'lewd photo'. 

"On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain, or the wider community," Paine said. Announcing his decision to quit, Paine said, "It's an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family, and cricket."

In a statement, Cricket Australia said, "The Board has accepted Tim’s resignation and will now work through a process with the national selection panel of identifying and appointing a new captain.

Aussie pacer, Pat Cummins will take charge of the Kangaroo's captaincy for the upcoming Ashes series that is set to begin from 8 December 2021. 

 

(With inputs from Reuters)