Tim Paine: Australian cricket captain stands down, Test future in doubt
CA maintains Tim Paine is available for selection for the Ashes, but two contenders are lingering if selectors hand the former captain the ultimate insult.
Tim Paine’s resignation from the captaincy has put his Test place under withering scrutiny, but early indications are Australia wants to support him to play the Ashes.
Former Test great Mark Waugh said national selector George Bailey and his panel will now have to “seriously consider” whether they dump Paine from the XI entirely and back in the younger and match-hardened Alex Carey for the first Test at the Gabba.
Although Paine is considered the best wicketkeeper in the country, he is 36 years old and hasn’t played a game of cricket since April after having invasive neck surgery in mid-September.
There are stormy seas ahead, but Cricket Australia Chairman Richard Freudenstein confirmed Paine would still be available for selection through the summer.
It’s understood chief executive Nick Hockley is also determined to support Paine’s place in the team, with cricket sources adamant selectors would not replace him because of the scandal.
Paine declared at his press conference that he didn’t want to be an “unwelcomed distraction” for the team, but is committed to playing his role behind the stumps as a foot solider.
“I do not want this to become an unwelcomed distraction for the team ahead of what is a massive series. I’ve loved my role as captain of the Australian cricket team and it’s been the greatest privilege of my sporting life to lead the Australian test team,” he said.
“(From teammates) I ask for their understanding and forgiveness. To cricket fans I’m very sorry my past behaviour has impacted our game on the eve of the ashes. For the disappointment I’ve caused to fans and the entire cricket community I apologise.
“… I will remain a committed member of the Australian cricket team and look forward with anticipation to what is a huge Ashes tour.”
I suspect Australia will have to go back to Steve Smith as captain. Pat Cummins would be a deserving candidate but as a large hearted fast bowler who gives every spell everything he has, and plays all three formats, his workload will need to be managed.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 19, 2021
Paine is affiliated with Channel 7, while his successor in waiting for the Test captaincy Pat Cummins is signed with Cricket Australia’s other broadcast partner, Fox Cricket.
Former selector Waugh said appointing Cummins isn’t the only decision ahead of selectors, questioning how Paine could hold his place in the team at all.
“It’s going to be tough for him to hold his spot in the team now. He’s 36, coming back from injury and he’s got this scandal hanging over his head, there’s a lot of things hanging over his head now,” Waugh told 2GB Drive.
“Pat Cummins will take over and the selectors would be seriously thinking about what wicketkeeper they might pick for the first Test.”
Australian star Travis Head was only just learning of Paine’s resignation as he fronted a press conference, but backed the culture of the team to get through the storm as players rally around Paine.
“I think the group’s in a great space, a lot like the (world champion) T20 group, this group’s played a lot of series together, we’re in a great space, everyone gets along really well, so what will be over the next 24 to 48 hours will be and we’ll move on,” he said.
Head said South Australian teammate Carey – who is named in the Australia A squad who will be with the Test team in Brisbane – has worked hard to be the next keeper in line.
“(Carey’s got a great opportunity in the A tour, it’s great to see him in that squad, he’s deserved that squad, he probably hasn’t started the season as well as he’d like, but the way he’s hitting the ball, the way he’s moving and how he’s working at training is great to see,” he said.
“I think the A tour game will be a fantastic opportunity for him.”
Paine is expected to play club cricket in Hobart on Saturday in his first step towards the Gabba.
Originally published as Tim Paine: Australian cricket captain stands down, Test future in doubt
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TIM PAINE'S STATEMENT IN FULL
Thanks for coming, everyone. I'm just going to make a brief statement. I won't be taking any questions today.
Today, I'm announcing my decision to stand down as the captain of the Australian men's test team. It's an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family, and cricket.
As a background on my decision, nearly four years ago, I was involved in a text exchange with a then-colleague. At the time, the exchange was the subject of a thorough CA Integrity Unit investigation, throughout which I fully participated in and openly participated in. That investigation and a Cricket Tasmania HR investigation at the same time found that there had been no breach of the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct. Although exonerated, I deeply regretted this incident at the time, and still do today. I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their
forgiveness and support. 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.
However, I recently became aware that this private text exchange was going to become public.
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. And I
believe that it is the right decision for me to stand down as captain, effective immediately. I do not want this to become an unwelcome disruption to the team ahead of what is a huge Ashes Series.
I have loved my role…..as captain of the Australian cricket team. It's been the greatest privilege of my sporting life to lead the Australian men's test team. I'm grateful for the support of my teammates and proud of what we've been able to achieve together. To them, I ask for their understanding
and forgiveness. To Australian cricket fans – deeply sorry that my past behaviour has impacted our game on the eve of the Ashes.
It's been the greatest privilege of my sporting life to lead the Australian men's test team. I'm grateful for the support of my teammates and proud of what we've been able to achieve together. To them, I ask for their understanding and forgiveness. To Australian cricket fans – deeply sorry that my past behaviour has impacted our game on the eve of the Ashes. For the disappointment I have caused to fans and the entire cricket community, I apologise. I've been blessed with a wonderful,
loving and supportive family, and it breaks my heart to know how much I've let them down… They have always stood by me, been my most loyal fans, and I'm indebted to them for their support.
Paine: I will continue as a player
"I will remain a committed member of the Australian cricket team, and look forward with anticipation to what is a huge Ashes tour. Thank you."
The wicketkeeper did not take questions
Paine: "It breaks my heart" to have let my family down
"I've been blessed with a wonderful, loving and supportive family, and it breaks my heart to know how much I've let them down… They have always stood by me, been my most loyal fans, and I'm indebted to them for their support."
Paine apologises publicly to family
"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. And I believe that it is the right decision for me to stand down as captain, effective immediately. I do not want this to become an unwelcome disruption to the team ahead of what is a huge Ashes Series."
Paine: It's the right decision for me to stand down as captain
"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. However, I recently became aware that this private text exchange was going to become public. 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."
Paine: "I deeply regretted' sexting incident
More from the Australian cricketer: "That investigation and a Cricket Tasmania HR investigation at the same time found that there had been no breach of the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct. Although exonerated, I deeply regretted this incident at the time, and still do today. I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support."
Tim Paine is speaking to reporters now
"Today, I'm announcing my decision to stand down as the captain of the Australian men's test team. It's an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family, and cricket. As a background, my
decision – nearly four years ago — As a background on my decision, nearly four years ago, I was involved in a text exchange with a then-colleague. At the time, the exchange was the subject of a thorough CA Integrity Unit investigation, throughout which I fully participated in and openly participated in."
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