Cricket Australia got it wrong over skipper Paine
Cricket Australia has admitted making the wrong call by not disc losing an investigation into Tim Paine’s inappropriate behaviour in 2018, with the move leading to his resignation as the country’s Test captain.
The 36- year- old announced he was stepping down from the role on Friday, less than three weeks before the beginning of the Ashes, following revelations about a sexting scandal.
CA chairman Richard Freudenstein said yesterday: “I can’t talk about the 2018 decision, I wasn’t there.
“But I am saying based on the facts as they are today the board of Cricket Australia would not have made that decision.
“I acknowledge the decision clearly sent the wrong message that this behaviour is acceptable and without serious consequences.
“The role of Australian cricket captain must be held to the highest standards.”
It echoed the words spoken a day earlier by Paine, who said he had concluded his past conduct did “not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain or the wider community”.
The wicketkeeper was confirmed as skipper of a 15- strong squad this week but just 48 hours later gave a press conference in Hobart, admitting “a private text exchange” with a former colleague at Cricket Tasmania.
Freudenstein yesterday confirmed Paine was available for selection in the Ashes, with a decision on the Tasmanian’s replacement as captain yet to be made.
Meanwhile, Durham paceman Brydon Carse has been ruled out of England Lions’ tour of Australia due to a knee injury.
Carse, 26, tore the cartilage in his right knee during a practice match and is set to fly home to see a specialist.
The Lions were scheduled to play two intra-squad matches, one three-day and one four-day, in Queensland and will also face Australia A in a four-day match before returning home on December 16.