Tim Paine announced that he is stepping down as the Australian test cricket captain after the texting scandal. The Australian cricketer announced his decision on Friday. He took this hard decision as he was alleged of sending inappropriate text messages to a female coworker. An investigation by the governing body of Cricket Australia cleared him out of the breaches of its code of conduct.

Read also: Ashes 2021: Australia announces their squad for home series

After he decided to resign, the governing body accepted the resignation as well. Tim Paine took this decision though he knew that everything about this investigation will be made public. This is a difficult decision, but he believes that it's the right decision for him, his family, and cricket.

Tim shared his thoughts at a news conference in the Tasmanian capital of Hobart. "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."

According to Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper, his messages had included a lewd photo and he sent it in 2017.

He further said, "On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain, or the wider community."

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Statement of Cricket Australia:

Cricket Australia said in a statement, "The Board has accepted Tim's resignation and will now work through a process with the national selection panel of identifying and appointing a new captain. While the Board acknowledges an investigation cleared Tim of any breach of the code of conduct regarding this matter some years ago, we respect his decision."

They further added, "CA does not condone this type of language or behavior. Tim will continue to be available for selection in the Test team through the Ashes summer."

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While announcing, Tim said, "It's an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family, and cricket."

He also informed that the investigation and one by Cricket Tasmania HR at the same time did not find any breach of the conduct. "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."

As per the latest developments, Lachlan Henderson has been unanimously elected as the new chairman of Cricket Australia. He'll take over the reins from Richard Freudenstein, who held the position on an interim basis. Meanwhile, Freudenstein's tenure saw Tim Paine and Justin Langer's controversial exit as Test captain and coach respectively. Now, Lachlan Henderson will hold the crucial position.

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The group chief executive of Epworth HealthCare, Lachlan had played age-group cricket for Western Australia before turning into a medical practitioner. He joined Cricket Australia as a board member in 2018. However, previously he operated as the chairman of the Western Australia Cricket Association. Meanwhile, Earl Eddings was the last man to have operated as CA chairman on a full-time basis. He quit in October last year as the board had to get Freudenstein on board.

Lachlan Henderson's top priority would be ensuring sustainable future for cricket

"Dr. Henderson, who will commence immediately, signaled his first priorities would be ensuring a strong, sustainable financial future for cricket, increased participation, particularly among girls and women, improved consultation with state and territory chairs and all stakeholders, and continuing to drive high standards of behavior across the game."

said in a statement released by Cricket Australia

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Meanwhile, Lachlan thanked CA directors and other officials after winning the election. "I would like to thank Richard, the other CA directors, and the state chairs and boards for their support. It is a privilege and honor to be elected chair and serve our national sport. I'm really excited by the opportunities ahead." said Lachlan Henderson.

"I'm looking forward to working closely with our states and territory cricket chairs and associations, the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA), our players, and our partners, on how we unite and work together to ensure cricket continues to thrive in the future as Australia's favorite sport. As chair, my aim is to ensure the integrity and growth of the game in Australia with strong governance embedded at Cricket Australia and reflected in all levels of cricket, from elite teams to community clubs," he added.

Tim Paine, the former Australia Test skipper, is set to miss the start of the Ashes 2021 after opting for an indefinite leave of absence from all forms of cricket for the foreseeable future. Paine's decision to take a mental health break comes a week after he stepped down as captain of the Test team following a sexting scandal.

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22: Joe Root believes this player can be "massive" for England

Paine was supposed to play for Tasmania in the One-Day Cup match before joining the Test squad in Brisbane. Although, he has withdrew from the match. "Following discussions over the last 24 hours, Tim Paine has advised Cricket Tasmania that he will be taking a leave of absence from all forms of cricket for the foreseeable future. Cricket Tasmania will continue to support Tim and his family both professionally and personally over the summer," Cricket Tasmania said in a statement on Friday (November 26).

Cricket Australia pledged support for Paine. They also mentioned that the selection panel will finalise the squad for the first Ashes Test in the coming days. With Paine taking a break from cricket, one of Alex Carey and Josh Inglis could debut at The Gabba on December 8.

Read Also: Ashes 2021: Pat Cummins becomes the Australian captain, Steve Smith named vice-captain

Ashes 2021 : Cricket Australia's chief executive officer, Nick Hockley said about Paine's decision :

We recognise that this is an incredibly difficult time for Tim and his family and are committed to supporting them. We respect and understand Tim's decision to have a break at this time. He wants to focus on his and his family's well-being," Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer, said, "The National Selection Panel will meet in the coming days to discuss the final squad ahead of the first Ashes Test on December 8."

Meanwhile, Paine's manager James Henderson said he was "extremely concerned" for Paine and his wife Bonnie. "Confirming that (Paine) is stepping away from cricket for an indefinite mental health break. We are extremely concerned for his and Bonnie's well-being. However will be making no further comment at this time," Henderson tweeted.

Also Read: Ashes 2021: Australia announces their squad for home series

Paine has played 35 Tests so far for Australia. Meanwhile, four of those since his comeback after a six year gap when he bounces back in 2017-18. He has lost two Test series at home against India but did retain the Ashes in England during 2019.

Pat Cummins will be leading the Aussies side for the Ashes 2021 series with Steve Smith as vice-captain. Meanwhile, he became the 47th Australian Test captain after Tim Paine to be a permanent Test captain of the side.

Pat Cummins has been announced as the 47th Test captain of Australia with former skipper Steve Smith appointed as his deputy on Friday, ahead of the high-voltage Ashes 2021 series, starting next month.

The 28-year-old said he was honored to accept the role. However, this marks a major departure from tradition in that he will become the first fast bowler to lead the country since Ray Lindwall in 1956. He also paid tribute to his predecessor Tim Paine. For Smith, it is a return to a leadership position for the first time. However, the batter was stripped of the captaincy following the ball-tampering scandal of 2018.

Also Read: Ashes 2021: Australia announces their squad for home series

"After an interview process with a five-person selection pane and ratification from the full board of Cricket Australia. Cummins today becomes the first fast bowler to be a full-time skipper of the Australian men's Test team. Also the first bowler of any kind to captain the team since Richie Benaud," said Cricket Australia in a statement.

"His appointment comes after Tim Paine sensationally resigned from the post last week. That's following revelations of a sexting incident from 2017, leaving Australia without a captain less than three weeks out from the first Vodafone Ashes Test against England," a statement further said.

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Pat Cummins opens up about his new role for the Ashes 2021 :

Cummins who is currently the No.1 ranked Test bowler has said he is "honored to accept the role" of the Test captain ahead of the Ashes.

"I am honored to accept this role ahead of what will be a massive Ashes summer," Cummins said in a statement. "I hope I can provide the same leadership Tim (Paine) has given the group in the past few years."

"With Steve and I as captains, a number of very senior players in this squad. And some great young talent coming through we are a strong and tightly-knit group. "This is an unexpected privilege which I am very grateful for and am very much looking forward to."

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"Pat is an outstanding player and leader," Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said. "He has earned enormous respect from his teammates. And from all corners of the game for his attitude and achievements, both on and off the field."

Meanwhile, the first Ashes 2021 Test match between Australia and England will be contested on December 8 at The Gabba in Brisbane.

Three days after resigning as Australia's Test captain, Tim Paine makes his return to playing as he bids to be part of the upcoming Ashes series. The Tasmania 2nd XI match against South Australia, at Lindisfarne Memorial Park in Hobart, will likely attract significantly more interest than would normally be the case.

This fixture had been part of Paine's comeback plan from neck surgery before the drama of last week. His initial return in a club game at the weekend was washed out. Meanwhile, he will be his first game since early April. He will have the keeping gloves on initially with Tasmania bowling first. As he is back as a ranked player, so he has to answer about the text messages of the sexting scandal.

Also Read: Tim Paine sexting case: 5 other players who were accused of scandals

The Cricket Australia board said they were satisfied for Paine to remain available for selection. Moreover, he has insisted he wants to be part of the England series. The Ashes had been viewed as a potential end-point for Paine's Test career before the latest developments.

Tim Paine said about his Ashes dream :

"I see that as the ultimate high, to be able to finish your Test career after winning an Ashes series in Australia," Paine said in an interview with the Herald Sun. "That's the dream. That's what I want to do."

Paine's availability for the Ashes was a key part of the negotiations that took place ahead of him standing down.

Todd Greenberg, the chief executive of the Australian Cricketers' Association, said

In a statement on Friday, the ACA had expressed their disappointment that Paine had felt the need to stand down as captain.

"We think he must be available for selection, then ultimately that's an issue for the selectors," Greenberg told SEN radio. "That was made clear to him and to us by Cricket Australia last week. I hope he is picked, and he plays an incredibly strong Ashes series."

If Paine was unable to get through the fitness side of his comeback following the disc surgery in September. However, then Alex Carey would be the likely replacement in the Test side. Carey is part of the Australia A squad which will also be in Brisbane alongside Josh Inglis.

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Paine was the only keeper named in the main 15-player squad when the squad was announced on Wednesday. even though the timelines that emerged around his resignation suggested the situation was likely well advanced at that stage. Following the 2nd XI match, Paine is due to link up with the Australia squad in Queensland. Paine will provide the final preparation for the first Test at the Gabba ahead of the intrasquad match on December 1.

Australian skipper Tim Paine resigns to captain Australia in the upcoming Ashes 2021 series after he involves in a sexting case. However, the news said that the skipper has sent an explicit picture and texts to a female Cricket Tasmania employee in 2017.

Read Also: Tim Paine sexting case: 5 other players who were accused of scandals

Meanwhile, Tim Paine will be unavailable for selection in the upcoming Ashes 2021 series. As of now, Vice-captain Pat Cummins is ahead as a captain for Australia in the series. However, in this article SportzPoint will give you the 4 probable captains of Australia for the Ashes 2021 in the absence of Tim Paine.

#1. Pat Cummins

Arguably the top contender gave he is the current vice-captain, Pat Cummins could find himself skippering an Ashes 2021 series. He would become the first fast bowler to assume the full-time captaincy of the Australian Test side. Meanwhile, he will be the first bowler since spinner Richie Benaud in 1964.

Cummins has been the vice-captain of Australia for two years. Moreover, he is aware of the circumstances of playing important matches. Tim Paine also gives hint that Pat might be the captain for the Aussies side in the coming Ashes 2021 series.

Also Read: Ashes 2021: Australia announces their squad for home series

#2. Steve Smith

The current greatest batsman of the format Steve Smith is another strong contender for the job. The 32-year old has gained so much experience in the format as he will be a good captain for the side. Cricket Australia will surely consider him as one of the contenders for the job.

He became eligible for the captaincy after being handed a two-year ban from any possible leadership roles back in March 2018. Meanwhile, he is currently Aussies highest-ranked batsman. He would look to lead by example and potentially relish the chance to prove he has turned a corner.

#3. Marnus Labuschagne

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Another batting giant of Australia, Marnus Labuschagne is also a contender for captaining Australia in the upcoming Ashes 2021 series. Back in June 2017, Labuschagne was backed by Paine to be the future leader for the side. As he is young he can be the permanent captain for Australia in this format.

Labuschagne is currently No 4 in the ICC'S Test batting rankings. Meanwhile, he is just one place below Smith, and as a guaranteed starter for the Ashes 2021. He could prove to be a left-field option if Cricket Australia fancy springing a surprise.

#4. Travis Head

The regular player of the Aussies test side, Travis Head also will be a good pick for the job of captaincy in the Ashes 2021 series. Meanwhile, he has already had the experience of the job of vice-captain of the side. If Pat becomes the captain for the Ashes 2021, then it will be Travis Head as vice-captain for the Aussies side.

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"Obviously Pat's been well spoken about, named as vice-captain. It's hard to go past him or give him the opportunity to, he's someone who oozes leadership, not only in the way he presents himself and speaks and the way he goes about things and the way he trains but also when he's on the field," Head said.