Former Test captain Tim Paine has told Cricket Tasmania he is taking an indefinite break from the game in the wake of the sexting scandal.
His management confirmed the decision through James Henderson who wrote on Twitter: “Confirming that [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.”
A week after his shock resignation as captain, Cricket Tasmania released a statement Friday announcing that Paine was taking a break from the game.
Paine had played a second XI game for Tasmania earier this week and was expected to play a Marsh One-Day Cup game for the Tigers on Friday.
(Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
“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,” the Cricket Tasmania statement read.
“Tim’s decision makes him unavailable for selection for today’s Marsh One-Day Cup match against Western Australia. His place in the squad will be taken by Charlie Wakim.
“Cricket Tasmania will continue to support Tim and his family both professionally and personally over the summer.”
Cricket Australia added their support in a statement from CEO Nick Hockley.
“We recognise that this is an incredibly difficult time for Tim and his family and are committed to supporting them,” Hockley said.
“We respect and understand Tim’s decision to have a break at this time to focus on his and his family’s well-being.
“The National Selection Panel will meet in the coming days to discuss the final squad ahead of the first Ashes Test on December 8.”
There has been debate over whether Paine should have stepped down with Cricket Australia and Tasmania having cleared him of code of conduct breaches relating to the 2017 incident.
Australia legend Shane Warne said in a column Friday that Paine should not have had to stand down.
“I don’t think Tim Paine should have had to resign from the captaincy,” wrote Warne.
“Four years ago he was cleared by a code of conduct investigation involving both CA and Cricket Tasmania.
“He could have captained one more series and retired. That’s how I was expecting things to go, even though I thought his time was up because Josh Inglis, Jimmy Pierson, Alex Carey and Matthew Wade are all younger and a better package.”
News Limited cricket writer Peter Lalor wrote that Paine “is out of the Ashes and is unlikely to play Test cricket again.”
“He has been a haunted sight in recent times as he struggles to deal with the personal ramifications of his sexting scandal,” wrote Lalor.
Paine told News Corp he was struggling last weekend and spoke of the impact the public revelations had on his wife Bonnie, who had known about his lewd texts with a Cricket Tasmania worker for three years.
“I feel terrible, to be honest,” he said. “Although Bonnie and I have both known about all this for three years, to have it played out like this is really distressing, and upsetting, and I’m really embarrassed. Really embarrassed. I feel sick for Bonnie, and for my family more than anything else.”
Australian selectors were expected to name Pat Cummins as Paine’s captaincy replacement later Friday.
Selectors will also need to pick a new wicketkeeper with Alex Carey or Josh Inglis set for a Test debut.
Alex Carey of the Redbacks during day one of the Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales at Adelaide Oval on March 06, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)
Former Test keeper Brad Haddin, writing for News Corp before Friday’s news, said he had Carey just ahead of Inglis if Paine was not available at the Gabba.
“Physically, he will be able to handle the demands of Test cricket,” said Haddin. “He’s very fit. The challenge will be the mental side of things. He has a lot of nervous energy and that can play out in different ways.
“His leadership qualities are less verbal and more about the way he prepares. He’s very diligent in his approach to every level of the game.”
Haddin said the decision would be “very, very close.
“I think the fact [Carey’s] been the back-up option for a while now should get him the nod, but Inglis has made up a lot of ground in a relatively short space of time,” Haddin wrote.
Tony Harper
Editor
Thanks for the feedback Jeff. It's not really a space issue but more a workload issue of live cioverage for the likely return, and if we don't have live scores available I'm not sure what the 'content' will look like with these. A generic cricket chat might be possible but I'll have to have a think on it. cheers Tony
JamesH
Roar Guru
That's what I'm getting at. The on field, tactical bits are fine. I just think history shows he's not the strongest leader. If he gets the opportunity then I hope he proves me wrong.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
It’s sad to comprehend that we have no one else but in a illogical world the logical choice is Smith as VC. I don’t harbour any angst towards Smith but l am concerned about his leadership qualities. We need a strong character to lead not a burnt out individual. Words are meaningless only actions define ones character!
JamesH
Roar Guru
I'm not completely against him being VC. Cummins will need someone supporting him who he can trust to make field changes while he's focusing on bowling or having a breather at fine leg. Given our dearth of options, Smith (or Warner, but he's banned) is best placed to do that. I just didn't want Smith charged with actually leading the side. Of course, the gamble is that if Cummins gets injured for any significant period then Smith is going to end up with full captain's responsibilities. I guess we'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Tony, Any chance the cricket page can be reformatted slightly to provide links to forums where people can go to engage in live matches? It ends up happening sporadically within unrelated articles otherwise. I realise space is at a premium, but even a small tab that gave fans a place to discuss would be appreciated by many I'm sure. Eg currently: -India v NZL Test -Bangla v Pakistan Test -South Aus v Qld Marsh Cup.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
But he chose to bowl in the last Ashes test in England which wipes out everything he had ever achieved before that decision. It is so rare to win an Ashes series in England and he had the best chance to nail his legacy right there at the toss. Lets face it, Aaron Finchs great ability in T20 is winning the toss and batting last. Won us a World Cup.
TheGeneral
Roar Rookie
Bring in McDermott for keeper. He is a better keeper than Carey, and at No 7 would average 40 plus with the bat.
Paul
Roar Guru
probably not, but we'll see what happens I guess.
sheek
Roar Guru
Jeff, True, but I think Paine can toughen up. He had the self-awareness to resign, which was the right thing to do. He’s apologised to the people important in his life & made his peace with his wife. He should tell social media to get stuff. Social media is the corrosive disease of the soul. Including sadly, this site, & all of us.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Point of order: Wade's Oval ton was completely meaningless, it was scored in its entirety when the match was already well and truly gone, and therefore he was under no pressure at the crease whatsoever.
Ian_
Roar Rookie
I thought the Golden rule was never post anything on the internet that you wouldn't want your mum to see.
Ian_
Roar Rookie
Interestingly, I read tonight that the woman concerned is saying Cricket Tasmania didn't even interview her as part of their investigation, which makes me wonder how genuine an investigation it was. Also, she says as well as Paine there were 2 other employees who "sexted" her, which kind of makes me think there's something wrong about Cricket Tasmania as a workplace.
Ian_
Roar Rookie
I assume it's because they got hold of the actual texts and satisfied themselves they were authentic, where previously they knew the story only indirectly without having solid proof.
Ian_
Roar Rookie
It sells papers. Apparently.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
"Do the right thing & your mental health will be fine." I've read enough of your posts Sheek to know you are not that ignorant or naive.
Al
Guest
Cricket has always been the game of the bogan.
Tight-Head
Roar Rookie
Yes today there is more scrutiny than ever before, but there is also more money - if you asked the players, I’m sure they would rather take the cash and have the scrutiny. I do feel for Paine though - this incident came before his test resurrection, and I suspect he would have behaved very differently if he had even a sniff of what was on the horizon. As it stands, I do think that finding out that the Australian captain - who was promoted as part of an organisational rebrand to try and make the new Australian cricket team is squeaky clean - has a questionable recent past just passes the test for journalism. For me CA are at fault the most here, for promoting him and leaving him there with a cloud over him in the circumstances they did, then hanging him out to dry.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Certainly!
maverick
Roar Rookie
Not for Paine, I am afraid.
sheek
Roar Guru
A friend of mine who is more forthright than me said today: "It's mental heath when you do something stupid". I've been thinking about Paine & maybe he needs to toughen up. Everything was fine before someone said they were going to spill the beans. So maybe my mate is onto something. Do the right thing & your mental health will be fine.