Tim Paine Quits As Australia Test Captain Over 'Sexting' Scandal

Tim Paine announced his shock resignation as Australian Test cricket captain on Friday over what he described as an inappropriate "private text exchange" with a then-colleague.

Tim Paine, 36, has stepped down as Australia Test captain after being engulfed in a 'sexting' scandal. Paine announced his decision to step down at a press conference in Hobart on Friday afternoon just weeks before the Ashes series begins against arch-rivals England, a report on cricket.com.au, said. Paine announced his shock resignation as Australian Test cricket captain over what he described as an inappropriate "private text exchange" with a then-colleague. Paine was appointed the 46th Australian Test captain in March 2018.

"Today, I'm announced 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," Paine said in a statement as quoted by cricket.com.au.

"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.