Tim Paine takes leave of absence from all cricket

Cricket Tasmania’s doors will remain permanently open to Tim Paine after the former skipper withdraw from all play, as his manager worries for his wellbeing. LATEST >>

CRICKET Tasmania’s doors will remain permanently open to Tim Paine after the former skipper withdraw from all play, seemingly ending his Ashes campaign and international career.

Exactly one week after Paine dropped a bombshell and resigned as Australian Test captain due to a historic sexting scandal, he announced he would be stepping down from play to focus on his and his family’s wellbeing.

His manager James Henderson tweeted the worry around Paine and his wife Bonnie.

“Confirming that (Paine) is stepping away from cricket for an indefinite mental health break,” Henderson wrote.

“We are extremely concerned for his and Bonnie’s wellbeing and will be making no further comment at this time.”

Tim Paine during day two of the First Test match in the series between Australia and Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium on October 08, 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Cricket Tasmania – not Cricket Australia which is Paine’s current employer — was the first to release a statement saying Paine would be taking an absence from play.

CT chief executive Dominic Baker said he hoped Paine would return to action, but it was far too early to tell at this stage, and not the priority.

“We talked to Tim yesterday afternoon and after the four days over at Lindisfarne (during the second XI game) there was a certain level of exhaustion that has come with the whole process of the last seven days,” Baker said on ABC radio.

“He really wants to focus on his family and his own wellbeing and cricket is probably secondary for that at the moment.”

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

Close friend and long time mentor, former Tasmanian coach Tim Coyle, said he understood it would take some time to work past the sexting scandal but hoped cricket fans would see the good Paine did after taking the national captaincy following Sandpaper gate in South Africa.

“Those sorts of things do hang around and it is only natural to expect this will as well,” Coyle said.

“But I would like to think that the people who know Tim and followed his career will focus on the positive things he’s been able to do for Australian cricket, both as a player and a leader.”

CA’s support, or lack of, for Paine brought great ire early in the week from CT, which labelled the governing body’s treatment of the former national skipper as “appalling”.

CA released a short statement on Friday.

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

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

Tim Paine of Australia walks out to bat during day five of the First Test match in the series between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on December 10, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Coyle said CT’s and the wider cricket community’s criticism of CA appeared justified.

“I think the commentary around that is pretty fair,” Coyle said.

“They were conspicuous by their absence.”

But for Coyle there was also no escaping the toll Paine’s actions had caused back in 2017, that has seen Paine overcome severe injury and come from nowhere to lead Australia in what would have been a dream farewell home Ashes series but only to end in a nightmare.

“It is hard to believe what’s gone on to be honest,” he said.

“He’s such a great servant of the game and such a wonderful human being.

“We are all feeling the same hurt for him and hopefully he can work his way through it and he’ll come out of it again a very much stronger individual.”

Paine steps away

After a turbulent week, former Australian test captain is taking a break from all forms of cricket.

Cricket Tasmania made the announcement this morning.

“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,” a statement said.

Tim Paine stepped down as Australian men's Test Cricket Captain at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

“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 resigned his captaincy of the Test squad last week following a sexting scandal.

Paine returned to cricket earlier this week for Tasmania’s second XI after a long lay off, taking nine catches with the gloves, but only scoring one and seven with the bat.

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