Just weeks before the upcoming Ashes series, Tim Paine resigns as Australian test captain. The resignation comes over what he described as an inappropriate “private text exchange” with a then-colleague.
Paine announced his decision to step down at a press conference in Hobart on Friday afternoon, a report by cricket.com.au, said. In March 2018, Tim Paine was named the 46th Australian Test captain. “Today, I announce my decision to stand down as the captain of the Australian men’s test team. It’s an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family, and cricket,” Paine says in a statement. He further adds, “as a background on my decision, nearly four years ago, I was involved in a text exchange with a then-colleague. 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.”
I’m sorry for any damage this does to the reputation of our sport
Furthermore, reflecting on his, then incident, Tim feels deeply ashamed of his actions. Apologizing for it, he states, “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. I’m deeply sorry for the hurt and pain that I have caused to my wife, my family, and the other party. I’m sorry for any damage this does to the reputation of our sport. And I believe that it is the right decision for me to stand down as captain, effective immediately. I do not want this to become an unwelcome disruption to the team ahead of what is a huge Ashes Series.”
The shocking news comes fewer than three weeks before the first Ashes Test at the Gabba. It is set to begin on Wednesday, December 8. Paine married Bonnie in 2016, and the couple has two daughters, Milla and Charlie. Since making his international debut in 2009, Paine has played 35 Tests for Australia. Amassing 1534 runs and accounting 157 dismissals in the game’s longest format
Will Tim be allowed to play? Who will be the next captain?
Amidst this storm and the upcoming Ashes series, the Australian cricket board will now also have to think about who will be capable of taking responsibility to lead the side? The last few years have not really been good for the cricket board when it comes to reputation. Hardly 3 years ago, the then Aussies Captain, Steve Smith along with two of his teammates were involved in the sandpaper incident. Ever since then, Cricket Australia has been trying hard to redeem its reputation. This one comes as a big blow to them.
Confirming the allowance of Tim, CA chairman Richard Freudenstein says, Paine would still be eligible for selection for the upcoming Ashes series. He further adds, “Tim felt it was in the best interests of his family and Australian cricket. To make this decision to step down as captain. The Board has accepted Tim’s resignation. Now, they will work through a process with the National Selection Panel of identifying and appointing a new captain. While the Board acknowledges an investigation cleared Tim of any breach of the code of conduct regarding this matter some years ago, we respect his decision. CA does not condone this type of language or behavior.”
Pat Cummins is currently the vice-captain of the test team. Owing to this emergency situation, this seems like the only viable option to take over the responsibility. Only an official statement from the cricket board will confirm. Until then we can just wait and watch how the fans and team take this news.