Tim Paine escapes to Qld Coast with family to avoid Ashes limelight

Tim Paine, who quit as Australian cricket captain over a sexting scandal, is holidaying in Queensland with his wife and children to escape the pain of not playing in the Ashes at his home ground.

Dumped Australian cricket captain Tim Paine and his family have fled Tasmania for the Gold Coast ahead of the Hobart Test to escape the pain of not playing in the Ashes at his home ground.

Paine, who quit as skipper over an historic sexting scandal on the eve of the Ashes series and announced an indefinite break from cricket to focus on his mental health, is holidaying in Queensland with wife Bonnie and children Charlie and Mila.

Former Australian cricket captain Tim Paine’s wife Bonnie pictured holidaying on the Gold Coast instead of being in Tasmania for the 5th Ashes test match. Picture: Instagram @bon.paine

Paine should have been captaining Australia in what would have been his first Test at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena.

Instead, he and his family are soaking up the sun on the southern Gold Coast.

Mrs Paine has posted Instagram happy snaps showing the family enjoying their holiday, one of her husband watching over Mila in the surf.

They appear to have visited Snapper Rocks beach as well as dining hotspot the Burleigh Pavilion.

“How good is that part of the Goldy!! Enjoy lovely xxxx,” one of Mrs Paine’s friends commented.

She responded: “So good!”

Former Australian cricket captain Tim Paine’s wife Bonnie pictured holidaying on the Gold Coast instead of being in Tasmania for the 5th Ashes test match. Picture: Instagram @bon.paine

Cricket Tasmania chairman Andrew Gaggin said this week that not having Paine playing in the Hobart Test was ‘a bit bittersweet’

“It’s a shame that he can’t be here,” Gaggin said.

“At the moment he’s taking it (a potential return to cricket) a moment at a time. We’re working with him.

“I know the ACA (Australian Cricketers’ Association) are also keeping in touch and so is his manager. At the moment, I don’t think he’s given any commitment to play again this season.”

Former Australian cricket captain Tim Paine pictured holidaying on the Gold Coast instead of being in Tasmania for the 5th Ashes test match Picture Instagram @bon.paine