Cricket Australia concedes Tim Paine should have been sacked as captain years ago over sexting scandal

Cricket Australia concedes the decision for Tim Paine to remain Test captain after a sexting scandal emerged has ‘clearly sent the wrong message’.

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 in January 2020. Picture: AFP

Cricket Australia chairman Richard Freudenstein has admitted Tim Paine should have been sacked as Test captain over the sexting scandal three years ago.

The CA chairman held a press conference on Saturday afternoon where he admitted the current board and chief executive were not privy to the full details of the investigation in 2018, but said the current board would not have allowed Paine to remain skipper at the time.

“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,’’ he said.

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

“The role of Australian cricket captain must be held to the highest standards.”

CA bosses confirmed Paine was available for Ashes selection and said a decision on his replacement would be made soon.

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.

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.

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.”

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom