It can be a crushing moment. The one where a player computes that having realised their, and almost every little boy’s dream of captaining Australia at cricket, it’s time to wake up and face the music.
With his tearful exit amidst a sexting scandal that he has clearly weighed on his family and mind for four years, Tim Paine became the latest leader to find his nerve fail him at the moment of truth.
Family is usually the trigger, although a sense of injustice can also turn on the waterworks, as it was for Kim Hughes.
For Steve Smith and now Paine, the moment they cracked was the moment the process of announcing was overcome by the process of remembering those who stood behind them on their journeys to the top.
Here’s how it all came crashing down for some of Australia’s leaders.
Kim Hughes – November 26, 1984
Out of form and fraying at the edges in the midst of back-to-back thumpings at the hands of a powerhouse West Indies team, Kim Hughes pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket after a day’s play at the Gabba and said “I have something to read”.
But he couldn’t finish his resignation statement, an emotional Hughes breaking down and inviting team manager Bob Merriman to read on his behalf.
Adjudged to have been “thrown to the wolves” by many, the beaten-down talent managed just two runs across his final four Test innings that followed.
Steve Smith – 29 March, 2018
Arriving back at Sydney Airport having copped a 12-month ban for his part in the South African ball-tampering scandal, Smith finally broke.
Flanked by his father Peter, the dethroned Australian captain struggled through a prepared statement where he admitted his failure of leadership and distress at the hurt caused to his family and the country’s young cricketers, in particular.
“I know I will regret this for the rest of my life. I’m absolutely gutted. I hope in time I can earn back respect and forgiveness,” he said.
Implicated batsman Cameron Bancroft expressed similar sentiments on return home, while days later banished vice-captain David Warner was in tears as he accepted responsibility for the incident. Coach Darren Lehmann also became a casualty, resigning at the tour’s end.
Tim Paine – 19 November, 2021
Parachuted in from the brink of retirement to fill the leadership void left in the wake of the sandpaper ball-tampering scandal, Tim Paine departed the role even more swiftly.
At an impromptu press conference he fought back tears – eventually they flowed – as he explained he would quit as captain after a 2017 sexting investigation became public.
Paine was initially cleared of fault when the incident, which occurred before his Test return, was investigated a year later.
“On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain, or the wider community,” he said.
“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.”
Clear as mud
Guest
and classic GSC blindness. it was fine for HIM to play on, break Bradman's record etc... but AB couldn't have a former skipper in the room as it would be distracting. one rule for the ins, another for the others. (although Greg seems genuine;ly surprised how new kids like Lawson found him as skipper... classic bubblist, like Smith...) to think that pair of brotherly jerks were happy to send debutante Yallop it at 3 while they sat at 4 and 5, as some sort of pro-McCosker protest. for every good thing they did for cricket... a huge pile.... they would go pretty close to having done something detrimental
Dave
Guest
Yep. Only after two lots of ACB rejection did Hughes sign on for South Africa.
Clear as mud
Guest
He also got a ton in mid Jan, so only 10 days after his pair at Melbourne. Should have been easily enough for him to be selected for England. But we know now Chappell wanted him out of the dressing room for AB's first big tour. They preferred rebels who were happy to take Packer's money to stay. Oh well...
Clear as mud
Guest
183 and 67*. nothing wrong with the technical form... http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1980S/1984-85/AUS_LOCAL/SS/WA_TAS_SS_19-22OCT1984.html
Rob Peters
Guest
Sorry, but the only one I have any sympathy for here is KJ Hughes. He was struggling as captain where he was dogged by criticism from former team mates and the media. His last 9 tests across two series were up against the WI who were the strongest team in the world at that time. The board screwed him over by hanging him out to dry by not only having back to back series against the WI in a rebuilding stage after Chappell, Lillee and Marsh retired, but also offering no support. And the guy broke not because of any actions he did or didn't do, but more due to pressure and unsympathetic circumstances. I have no sympathy for Smith or Paine. First they brought their issues on themselves, and both lacked a backbone when it mattered. Smith couldn't control his own players who undermined his captaincy, and Paine couldn't control himself in an age of #metoo. Sending consensual dirty messages is one thing, but sending an unsolicited **** pic is another. KJ Hughes is a cricketing saint compared to these guys failings.
WEST
Roar Guru
Can we get a collage of all the Ozzie cricketers crying on camera. :laughing: over the trivial stuff of course. Then a collage of all the funny little quirky stuff Aussie cricketers get up to.. Start with underarm.. Right through to sandpaper :cricket:
Kim Hughes 1980
Roar Rookie
Actually, these guys are strong characters. They can cry in the public eye and not only do it behind closed doors (like everyone else)
Kim Hughes 1980
Roar Rookie
well said
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
You were lucky. Saturday was Broken Humerus and Femur Day. We only ever dreamed of breaking our bones in sport
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I saw AB having a beer all by himself.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Charles Bronson says, "How's the Sheila going?"
Kim Hughes 1980
Roar Rookie
yawn
Raghead
Guest
They are weak. Hughes, Warner, Smith and now Paine. Their legacies forever tarnished
Wally James
Roar Guru
Crying or not, please CA, do not allow Steve Smith to captain Australia again. He presided over an Australian side, members of which were morally bankrupt. His lack of vigilance allowed that. He has been proven to be not up the the task of captaincy. Give the captaincy to someone else.
Kalva
Roar Rookie
When Hughes cried, he was considered effeminate and a cry baby as men didn’t cry in those days. Now, when they cry, half of Australia melt at the sight of it and the other half keep quiet. If this had happened to Hughes now, he would have been Australian of the year.
nics
Roar Rookie
Or its like superman & clark kent :laughing:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet :laughing:
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Too junior.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Now I know where they got the title for the movie " The Crying Game " . Only difference between Smith and Paine is one was a cricket related incident and the other was as Nathan Brown says thinking with your little head .
nics
Roar Rookie
Whether they would have won the ashes is hypothetical. Was Junior old enough to play then?