Tim Paine out of the Ashes, unlikely to play Tests again

Tim Paine has withdrawn from all forms of the game ‘for the foreseeable future’ with concerns for his wellbeing.

Tim Paine’s Test career looks to be over. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tim Paine is out of the Ashes and is unlikely to play Test cricket again.

The wicketkeeper, who stood down as Test captain last week, was due to play a one-day match with Tasmania on Friday but withdrew this morning, taking leave from all forms of cricket “for the foreseeable future”.

“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,” Cricket Tasmania said in a statement.

“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.”

Paine’s manager James Henderson, the managing director of sports and media agency DESG, tweeted: “Confirming that @tdpaine36 is stepping away from cricket for an indefinite mental health break. We are extremely concerned for his and Bonnie’s wellbeing and will be making no further comment at this time.”

Confirming that @tdpaine36 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.

— James Henderson (@jahenderson63) November 25, 2021

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley confirmed via a statement that Paine would take time away from the sport to focus on his wellbeing.

“We recognise that this is an incredibly difficult time for Tim and his family and are committed to supporting them,” Hockley said in his statement.

“We respect and understand Tim’s decision to have a break at this time to focus on his and his family’s wellbeing.

“The National Selection panel will meet in the coming days to discuss the final squad ahead of the first Ashes Test on December 8.”

The Australian Cricketers’ Association expressed concern for Paine’s welfare.

“The ACA is saddened by the news that Tim Paine has had to take a leave of absence from all forms of cricket for the foreseeable future,” the ACA’s statement read.

“First and foremost, the thoughts of the players and everyone at the ACA are with Tim and Bonnie.

“Family and health are more important than any game of cricket. It takes genuine courage to both recognise the need for help and to ask for it. Tim now needs some time and space and we support his decision.

“Tim made the decision to stand down from the captaincy with the best interests of the game at heart.

“We hope now that Tim’s best interests will also be respected.

A new Australian captain was to be announced on Friday after a board meeting on Thursday night. Pat Cummins and Steve Smith were both interviewed for the role, but Cummins will be named the 47th captain.

His investiture will be cloaked in sadness knowing the man he served as vice-captain finds himself in such a place that he can no longer play.

Paine recently completed a four-day second XI game in an attempt to prove his fitness for the first Test on December 8.

Tim Paine has taken leave from cricket. Picture: Eddie Safarik

He has been a haunted sight in recent times as he struggles to deal with the personal ramifications of his sexting scandal. The former captain told Cricket Tasmania on Friday morning he would not play and it is understood the Australian team has been notified.

He told News Corp he was struggling last weekend, saying it was a strain on his wife Bonnie.

“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.”

Paine looked stressed in his return to cricket. He lodged two small scores but took eight catches.

Paine, a father of two, is a broken man since the tawdry details of an sexting exchange were revealed. The incident was investigated by Cricket Australia, who cleared him of any breach of its code of conduct in the incident, which occurred on his return to Test cricket in the 2017 Ashes.

He was due to fly to Brisbane on Saturday to join the squad ahead of a three-day warm-up game.

The 36-year-old played 35 Tests, 31 of them after a recall to the game in that series.

He was appointed captain when Steve Smith was dropped from the position in the wake of the ball tampering scandal a few months later.

Paine’s leadership alongside coach Justin Langer had been lauded for rehabilitated the side’s public reputation.