Cricket Australia allowing Tim Paine to remain as Test player reveals team’s class divide

Tim Paine staying in the Test squad has exposed the team’s class divide and left unanswered questions about whether captains are unfairly held to a higher standard than the players they lead.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 4, 2020, Australia’s Tim Paine bats during the second day of the third cricket Test match between Australia and New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. – Tim Paine announced his shock resignation as Australian Test cricket captain on November 19, 2021 over what he described as an inappropriate "private text exchange" with a then-colleague. (Photo by JEREMY NG / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —

Cricket Australia says its Test captain must be held to a higher standard, which is why it is willing to let Tim Paine play in the first Ashes Test but no longer supported his future as skipper.

In an at times confusing press conference on Saturday, CA chairman Richard Freudenstein effectively accepted Paine was only being punished for the sexting scandal because it became public knowledge and he was now captain.

But by allowing Paine to simply resign as captain but still play England in Brisbane on December 8, it sends the message such lewd behaviour would be tolerated by the 10 players who are not involved in the coin toss.

The hierarchy moved to heavily distance themselves from the previous board’s decision to cover-up Paine’s sexting scandal in June, 2018 and allow him to remain Test captain after they were briefed on the findings from the integrity investigation.

Paine tendered his resignation from the top job on Friday after News Corp’s revelation of his sexting scandal from November, 2017, which occurred four months before he was parachuted in as captain and when his wife, Bonnie, was pregnant.

“I can’t talk about the 2018 decision, I wasn’t there,” Freudenstein said.

“But I am saying based on the facts as they are today the board of Cricket Australia would not have made that decision.

“I acknowledge the decision clearly sent the wrong message that this behaviour is acceptable and without serious consequences.

“The captain of the Australian cricket team has to be held to a very high standard, which is why it is absolutely appropriate that Tim has resigned.

“The board of Australian cricket is comfortable with his availability as a player.”

Paine’s career now rests with chairman of selectors George Bailey and coach Justin Langer, who must decide whether the underdone 36-year-old should play as a No. 7 wicketkeeper against England.

Without the leadership mantle Paine is likely to find himself in a selection battle with uncapped Australia A glovemen Alex Carey, 30, and Josh Inglis, 26.

Paine met Bailey at Queenborough Oval on Saturday as his return in a club match in Hobart was washed out.

CA powerbrokers have expedited their search for Paine’s successor as captain.

Cricket Australia says Tim Paine remains eligible for Ashes selection.

Cricket Australia Chair Richard Freudenstein believes it would have been “inappropriate” for CA to share the findings of its internal investigation on the Tim Paine incident.#Ashes

— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) November 20, 2021

Richard Freudenstein, Cricket Australia chairman, speaking to media today on the Tim Paine case: "Faced with the facts as they are, the board of Cricket Australia today would not have made that decision (to make Tim Paine captain)"#Ashes#Cricket@codesportsau

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) November 20, 2021

They have less than three weeks to decide whether Steve Smith deserves to win back the honour almost four years on from his shameful sacking in South Africa.

“Values of respect, of inclusion, of making Australians proud are absolutely going to be at the forefront of the criteria,” Hockley said.

Pat Cummins is the favourite to be installed Australia’s 47th Test captain and the first fast bowler to toss the coin since Ray Lindwall filled in for one Test in Mumbai in 1956.

Two board members who presided over the decision to not punish Paine and keep the integrity investigation in-house in 2018, John Harnden and Michelle Tredenick, remain on the board today.

Legal counsel Christine Harman, who co-ran the investigation into Paine’s lewd texts, remains working under Hockley after endorsing the decision to clear Paine of any wrongdoing.

Langer, who is head coach and a selector, was made aware of Paine’s indiscretion in the months after he was made captain in 2018, according to senior cricket sources at the time.

As Cricket Australia and Langer learnt of Paine’s foolishness the important player review, overseen by ex-Test opener Rick McCosker and director of Australia’s Centre of Ethical Leadership Peter Collins, was being finalised following the sandpaper scandal that sunk Smith.

Past and present players were canvassed as a charter of behaviour for future men’s teams was put together in the wake of what happened in Cape Town.

“The code of conduct is (now) appropriate, it’s important to note a lot of things have changed since the time,” Freudenstein said.

“There’s programs in place that address things like sexting since the 2018 season. We have undertaken a full review of the sexual harassment education.”

Freudenstein said Paine had been an “exceptional leader” over the past three years.

“The team over recent years has really prioritised team culture,” Hockley said.

“We’re very clear on the vision for cricket to be the most inclusive sport with a culture of respect at its core.

“Some of the policy work – the fantastic education work in conjunction with the ACA (Australian Cricketers’ Association) – including around the appropriate use of social media and the like.

“The reality is as leading sports people we’re role models for young, aspiring cricketers.”