Finding himself in the midst of a major controversy, Tim Paine has now opted out of the forthcoming Ashes and taken an indefinite break from the game. The decision puts an end to questions whether the Australian wicketkeeper-batter will be taking part in the five-Test series versus England amid the sexting scandal.
Originally due to play a Marsh Cup List A game for Tasmania on November 26 before joining the Australian squad in Brisbane, Paine withdrew from the fixture in the morning. He had returned to cricket the previous week following an extended injury hiatus via a second XI game against South Australia.
Paine’s manager James Henderson confirmed the news on the cricketer before Cricket Tasmania also made an official remark on the issue.
“Confirming that [Tim Paine] is stepping away from cricket for an indefinite mental health break. We are extremely concerned for his and Bonnie’s well-being and will be making no further comment at this time,”
Henderson tweeted.
“Following discussions over the last 24 hours, Tim Paine has advised Cricket Tasmania that he will be taking a leave of absence from all forms of cricket for the foreseeable future. Cricket Tasmania will continue to support Tim and his family both professionally and personally over the summer.”
CT said in their release.
Cricket Australia’s comments on Paine’s decision were also one of sympathy to the cricketer and one offering him support in a challenging time. CA CEO Nick Hockley said the board recognise this as an “incredibly difficult” time for Paine and that they respect his decision to prioritise his and his family’s well-being at this stage.
Paine had resigned from his position as Australia’s Test captain last week after it emerged that a backdated case of him sending inappropriate messages to an ex female co-worker will be made public.
Paine himself spoke to the media and confirmed that the case goes back to 2017 when he was recalled to the Test side after a seven-year hiatus for the Ashes that summer. A year or so later, he was appointed captain of the Test side in the aftermath of the Cape Town ball-tampering saga.
CA and Cricket Tasmania gave Paine a clean chit to resume his playing career in 2017, but the case reopened earlier this mnth when Paine was made aware that the details of the messages he sent would be revealed in the media.
The player apologised to his family and the Australian public before resigning from his post, saying his conduct was not befitting of an Australian Test captain. The matter raised question marks on CA’s role in the matter since they were aware of those messages all this while but opted not to act or act substantially enough, letting the issue escalate.
At the time of his admission, Paine had kept himself available for selection for the Ashes. But the public outrage meant that he was always under pressure and scrutiny over his place in the Australian jersey for the Ashes.
Also read 👉 Paine quits as Australia’s Test captain amid scandal over explicit exchange with a female co-worker
Recognising that himself, Paine has now taken a break for an indefinite period, raising the possibility that the 36-year-old has already played his last Test for Australia.
In Paine’s absence, it is confirmed now that experienced fast bowler Pat Cummins will be captaining Australia’s Test team, with Steve Smith named as his deputy.
This makes Cummins the 47th Australian men’s Test captain in the game’s history and also signals the return of Smith to the leadership group following his axing from the post after the Newlands ball-tampering scandal back in 2018.
The first Ashes Test begins on December 8 in Brisbane.
