SYDNEY (Australia): Tim Paine abruptly quit as Australian Test cricket captain on Friday over an explicit “private text exchange” with a female colleague.
“Today, I’m announcing my decision to stand down as the captain of the Australian men’s Test team,” said an emotional Paine, failing to hold back tears as he recounted a years-old scandal which is only now coming to light.
“Nearly four years ago, I was involved in a text exchange with a then-colleague,” Paine, 36, said, referring to what Australian media reported to be a series of sexually graphic exchanges with a female co-worker.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
