Australia Test-Captain Steps Down Over Sexting Scandal
Australian cricketer Tim Paine has stepped down as captain of the national Test team less than three weeks before The Ashes over a sexting exchange with a former colleague.
The 36-year-old had been expected to lead the line for his side in the series against England which commences in Brisbane on December 8, but made the "incredibly difficult decision" to abdicate the role.
The wicketkeeper-batsman did not shed light on the nature of the messages in his resignation speech, but Cricket Australia's (CA) news website referred to it as "revelations of a sexting incident involving a former Cricket Tasmania employee in 2017".
Cricket Australia has accepted the resignation and would appoint a new captain, but added the Tasmanian would be available for selection for the forthcoming series.
Fast bowler Pat Cummins is the current vice-captain and most likely choice to become the team's new leader.
Paine was unexpectedly elevated to become Australia's 46th Test captain after Steve Smith's ban following the infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018.
While the duty of captain was thrust upon him, he has drawn lauding for his execution of the demanding dual roles of captain and wicketkeeper, especially in Australia's 2019 Ashes triumph in England.
Speaking to reporters in Hobart, Paine said: "It's an incredibly difficult decision but the right one for me, my family and cricket.
"As a background on my decision, nearly four years ago I was involved in a text exchange with a then colleague.
Australia Test-Captain Steps Down Over Sexting Scandal
