Tim Paine resigns as Australian cricket Test captain over sexting scandal

Tim Paine told a woman he would be in trouble if their salacious text message exchange became public.

Tim Paine knew he was risking his career when he engaged in a salcious text message exchange with a woman, the Herald Sun reports.

The wicketkeeper told the woman he would be “so ­f--ked” if the exchange became public, as he sent her an unsolicited lewd photograph.

A tearful Paine stood down from the Australian cricket captaincy in the emerging sexting scandal on Friday – three years after predecessor Steve Smith ­departed in similarly emotional scenes.

The shock announcement leaves the team without a captain on the eve of the Ashes. When the dust settles, Pat Cummins is ­expected to be appointed.

Paine’s announcement came as the Herald Sun published a ­salacious text message exchange ­between the cricketer and a ­Cricket Tasmania employee on the eve of the last Ashes series in 2017.

The cricketer is also said to have sent a lewd photo, which the woman complained upset her.

The 37-year-old Tasmanian made the decision to stand down on Friday after the Cricket Australia board held an emergency meeting on Thursday night.

It is understood Paine felt little option but to go after he learnt that the text exchange would be revealed, even though he was cleared of any offence by a Cricket Australia investigation at the time. The Weekend Australian can reveal that a thorough investigation and report into the incident was conducted by Cricket Australia in May 2018 – just weeks after his appointment as captain.

Cricket Tasmania confirmed it had also investigated the events, which involved a woman who was dismissed around the time of the text exchange and is facing criminal charges.

Paine’s contract has been ­extended three times since the ­investigations were concluded. An emotional Paine was apologetic during a brief press conference in Hobart.

“I am deeply sorry for the hurt and pain I have caused – to my wife, my family and to the other party,” the father of two said.

“I am sorry for any damage this does to the reputation of our sport and I believe it is the right decision for me to stand down as captain, effective immediately, as I do not want this to become an unwelcome disruption for the team ahead of the Ashes. I have loved the role as captain and it has been the greatest privilege of my sporting life to lead the Australian cricket team. I am grateful for the support of my teammates, and proud of what we have achieved together. To them, I ask for their understanding and forgiveness.

“To Australian cricket fans, I am 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 have been blessed with a wonderful, loving and supportive family and it breaks my heart to know how much I’ve let them down.”

The Herald Sun on Friday revealed the text exchanges that sparked Paine’s resignation. They took place on November 22 and 23, 2017, on the eve of his return to the Australian Test team.

On November 22, after the woman texted about “partying like a rock star’’, Paine replied: “I like good girl (name removed). But this other one sounds interesting.’’

“When I’m good, I’m good. When I am bad I am brilliant,’’ she said. Paine replied: “Brilliantly bad??’’

The following morning, hours before Paine was due to take the field against England, the woman texted: “I will think naughty thoughts about you whilst we watch TV.”

“I’m cracking! Ha ha. Naughty thoughts like what? I’m about to give something a firm pull...,’’ Paine responded.

The woman texted back saying: “Ha, sorry I’m getting ready for work ... it’s a big day of us kids.’’

Paine replied: “Will you want to taste my ---?? F--- me, I’m seriously hard.’’

In an apparent reference to Paine’s wicketkeeping duties, the woman responded: “I thought we were resting hands.’’

Paine texted back: “Can’t rest them when I’m this hard!! Need to ease the tension ... Finish me off with those lips then (name delieged)’’. Paine ended the text with a wink-face emoji.

Paine then sent what was ­described as an unsolicited picture of his penis before asking the woman: “Finish me off right now!!!’

The woman claimed she found the text offensive.

Paine said he believed the incident was behind him, and the game did too.

Paine and wife Bonnie at the 2020 Australian Cricket Awards at Crown in Melbourne. Picture: AAP

The woman had attempted to sell her story to television current affairs programs when he became captain, and an investigation was launched by Cricket Australia’s integrity commission.

Then integrity officer Sean Carroll completed a comprehensive investigation while James Sutherland was chief executive and David Peever chair, and it was submitted to Cricket Australia in May.

Carroll had access to Paine’s phone records at the time.

Cricket Tasmania confirmed it too conducted an inquiry.

“As soon as Cricket Tasmania was made aware, it took an ­investigation that determined the interaction was consensual, live, occurred on the one occasion only, was between mature adults and was not repeated,” chief executive Andrew Gaggin said.

Paine reads a prepared statement as he announces his exit as skipper. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Because of the consensual nature of the actions it was determined no further action was ­required or appropriate.’’

Gaggin claimed the former employee was facing criminal charges and the matter was still before the court.

The Australian Cricketers ­Association expressed concern at the way things had unfolded.

“While respecting the decision made by Tim Paine, the ACA is saddened that he felt the need to resign from the captaincy of the Australian Test team,” it said.

“While regrettable, this was a historic mistake that was a private matter between consenting adults.

“Tim fully co-operated in an integrity investigation by Cricket Australia in 2018 in which he was exonerated.”

Cricket Australia chair Richard Freudenstein said the decision to stand down was Paine’s.