Tim Paine Captaining Despite Lewd Text Scandal The Wrong Call: Cricket Australia Chairman Richard Freudenstein

Nov 20, 2021 at 1:25 PM

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Tim Paine Captaining Despite Lewd Text Scandal The Wrong Call: Cricket Australia Chairman Richard Freudenstein

According to Cricket Australia chairman Richard Freudenstein, Tim Paine should not have remained as Test captain amid his sexting investigation in 2018. Tim Paine resigned as Test skipper on Friday after it emerged. He sent lewd text messages to a female colleague, which Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania investigated before he was cleared of breaching the sport’s code of conduct.

Fronting a press conference on Saturday, Richard Freudenstein admitted it had been the wrong call to allow Tim Paine to remain as skipper and not make the investigation result in public when it was resolved.

Australia Test skipper Tim Paine (Photo | AP)
Australia Test skipper Tim Paine (Photo | AP)

Tim Paine Captaincy The Wrong Call: Cricket Australia Chairman Richard Freudenstein

After Tim Paine’s shock resignation, Pat Cummins is favoured to become the first fast bowler to assume the full-time captaincy of Australia’s Test team. Previous skipper Tim Paine’s bombshell of sexting just 20 days before the Ashes 2021/22 has prompted a rushed search for a new leader matched only by his own appointment three years ago.

“While I cannot speak about the original decision-making in 2018, what I can say is that faced with the same circumstances, and with the benefit of all relevant information about this matter, Cricket Australia would not make the same decisions today,” he said.

Cricket Australia’s interim chair, Richard Freudenstein.
Cricket Australia’s interim chair, Richard Freudenstein. CREDIT: DANIEL MUNOZ

 

“I acknowledge that the decision clearly sent the wrong message to the sport, to the community, and to Tim – that this kind of behaviour is acceptable and without serious consequences. The role of Australia captain must be held to the highest standards.”

Richard Freudenstein said it would be up to selectors on whether Tim Paine would take to the field for the first Ashes Test, starting December 8, with the board “comfortable” with the wicketkeeper being available to be picked. Cricket Australia is expected to confirm Tim Paine’s successor as captain within the coming days, with vice-captain Pat Cummins considered the favourite to take on the role.

Pat Cummins Frontrunner To Lead In Ashes 2021/22

The lack of time before such an important series is likely to work in vice-captain Pat Cummins’ favour. Former skipper Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, shape as the other options. It’s thought Steve Smith’s history with the ball-tampering scandal in 2018 could prove too hard to overcome in a time of crisis, having completed a two-year leadership ban last year.

Travis Head and Pat Cummins previously shared the deputy role, before Pat Cummins took over as sole vice-captain at the start of last summer.  Steve Smith has already declared his interest in leading the national side again following the end of his ban. He became eligible to lead the side after two years had passed since the ball-tampering incident in South Africa.

Pat Cummins appears favourite to take over the vacant Test captaincy with the Ashes series looming. Credit: AAP
Pat Cummins appears favourite to take over the vacant Test captaincy with the Ashes series looming. Credit: AAP

The incident later went on to be labelled as the ‘Sandpaper Gate’ and is considered one of the darkest moments in Australian cricket history. Australia went on to lose the match, and Cricket Australia took some bold calls as they first removed the captain and vice-captain of the side.

Later, the Australian cricket board handed a one-year ban to both Steve Smith and David Warner, while Cameron Bancroft was given a nine-month suspension. Australia coach Darren Lehmann also resigned after the episode. Tim Paine has led his country to 11 wins, four draws, and eight defeats. Under Tim Paine’s leadership, Australia has retained the Ashes and won 11 of 23 matches, but has lost two successive home series to India.

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