Tim Paine resigns as Australia captain 19 days before the Ashes over lewd messages to ex-colleague

The messages sent in 2017 by Paine to a former Cricket Tasmania co-worker - some of which were graphic in detail - were the subject of a Cricket Australia investigation three and a half years ago

Australia are without a Test captain less than three weeks ahead of the Ashes after Tim Paine resigned over revelations about a sexting scandal.

The messages sent in 2017 by Paine to a former Cricket Tasmania co-worker - some of which were graphic in detail - were the subject of a Cricket Australia investigation three and a half years ago.

While Paine was cleared of breaching the CA code of conduct, the incident's emergence in the Australian media via a News Corp report prompted him to step down from the captaincy, which he has held since 2018.

Appearing in front of the cameras on Friday, the wicketkeeper-batter apologised to his wife and family but said the decision to resign was "the right one for me, my family, and cricket".

"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,” he said. “However, I recently became aware that this private text exchange was going to become public.

^{Tim Paine has resigned as Australia Test captain}

"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 to the other party. I’m sorry for any damage that this does to the reputation of our sport."

Reports in the Australian media state that the messages in question were sent on November 22 and 23, 2017.

The female recipient of the messages, which reportedly included a picture of Paine's penis, is said to have lodged a complaint with Cricket Tasmania in June 2018.

Cricket Tasmania chairman Andrew Gaggin said an investigation was launched promptly upon the allegations being made but that enquiries "determined the interaction was consensual, private, occurred on the one occasion only, was between mature adults and was not repeated".

"Cricket Tasmania clearly does not condone this type of behaviour and addressed the matter directly with Tim Paine," he said.

"However, because of the consensual nature of the actions it was determined that no further action was required or appropriate."

Whether Paine remains a part of the Ashes squad is unclear. He was named in the original party for the first two Tests against England but will now have to prove he deserves his place in the national side on merit. He does remain available for selection.

Josh Inglis, Alex Carey and Jimmy Peirson will all be vying to take his spot.

Cricket Australia's management will also need to move quickly to appoint a new skipper.

Pat Cummins, the current vice-captain, is widely expected to move into the role. 

^{Paine won 11 matches as Aussie skipper}

Paine took over the reins in March 2018, in the wake of the Sandpapergate scandal which led to the long suspensions of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

His appointment was part of Cricket Australia's attempts to enforce a cultural review within the senior men's setup.

Paine won 11 of his 23 matches leading the Aussies, and retained the Ashes on English soil in 2019.

Cricket Australia chair Richard Freudenstein said: "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 behaviour.

"Despite the mistake he made, Tim has been an exceptional leader since his appointment and the Board thanks him for his distinguished service."

Our coverage of the Ashes is brought to you in association with Cricket 22.

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Tim Paine's resignation statement in full