Tim Paine resigns as test captain in Australia because of the sexting scandal
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Tim Paine announced his shocked resignation as Australian test cricket captain on Friday for describing an inappropriate "private text exchange" with a colleague at the time.
Tim Paine has resigned as Australian test captain with immediate effect but says he still wants to play in the ashes after being embroiled in a sexting scandal.
Paine confirmed his resignation on Friday, just weeks before Australia's first Test against England in Brisbane.
"Today I announce my decision to step down as captain of the Australian men's test team," said Paine tearfully as he read from a prepared statement at a press conference in Hobart on Friday afternoon. “It's an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family and cricket.
“As a background to my decision, I was involved in a text exchange with a colleague at the time almost four years ago. At the time, the exchange was the subject of a thorough investigation by the CA Integrity Department, in which I was fully involved and openly participated.
“This investigation and a concurrent investigation by Cricket Tasmania's Human Resources department revealed that there was no breach of Cricket Australia's Code of Conduct. Although exonerated, I deeply regretted this incident then and still do it today. I spoke to my wife and family at the time and I am immensely grateful for their forgiveness in helping me. We thought this incident was over and I could concentrate on the team as I have done in the last three or four years.
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“However, I recently realized that this private text exchange would become public. My actions in 2017 are not up to the standard of an Australian cricket captain or the wider community. I am deeply sorry for the pain and pain I have inflicted on my wife, family and the other party. "
News Corp has posted sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to a woman by Paine.
Despite his extraordinary resignation, the wicketkeeper batsman said he still hopes to play on a baggy green this summer.
"I will remain a dedicated member of the Australian cricket team and look forward to a huge Ashes tour," said Paine.