Tim Paine-the 36-year-old’s career is in the shambles after the ‘sexting scandal’ with a co-worker back in 2017 surfaced recently. In the aftermath of the incident, Tim Paine stepped down as the skipper of the Australian Test team after serving them since March 2018. In another development surrounding the matter, it’s learned that the female staffer demanded an apology and $40,000 for her legal costs.
If reports are to be believed, she contacted Cricket Australia in 2018 before putting forth her demands of apology and legal costs. An intermediary between CA and the woman confirmed the same.
Tim Paine Scandal: Female Staffer Demanded An Apology And $40,000 For Her Legal Costs
However, the woman “let the matter go” at a time when Australian cricket was reeling from the incident of the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town.
“I indicated that it was her intention to keep the matter private and that she was seeking an apology from Cricket Tasmania and her legal fees reimbursed,” Sean Mulcahy, who was contacted by the staffer’s then lawyer,said.
“I told her that given the impending Ashes series, the severe fallout from the South Africa incident and subsequent sacking of then captain Steve Smith, that she could possibly command a large fee for her story. Her ultimate decision was to let the matter go and move on,” he said.
Sean Mulcahy mentioned that the woman never wished for the incident to go public and reckoned that she didn’t reveal the story.
“It was always my understanding that she never wanted this matter to become public. She turned down the possibility of a big pay day to tell the story, yet she chose to stay quiet. I don’t believe she is the source of this story now being made public,” he mentioned.
“I thought the issue was dealt with, but it always popped up around a big series, or at the start of the cricket season,” he added.
Tim Paine got tangled into a controversy after ‘graphic sexual comments’, and ‘unsolicited’ pictures of his genitals during her conversation with the woman surfaced.
Tim Paine Apologized For His Actions And Stepped Down As Skipper
On Friday, he apologized for his actions and thanked his wife and family for their support. Although he has stepped down as the captain, he has made himself available for selection for the upcoming Ashes, starting December.
Tim Paine’s captaincy and his wicket-keeping standards have come under severe criticism ever since India thrashed hosts Australia 2-1 in the 4 match Test series Down Under. Tim Paine has led his country to 11 wins, four draws, and eight defeats. Under Tim Paine’s leadership, Australia had retained the Ashes and won 11 of 23 matches but had lost two successive home Test series to India.
The lack of time before such an important series is likely to work in vice-captain pacer Pat Cummins’ favour to lead Australia in Ases 2021/22. Former skipper Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, shape as the other options. 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.
The incident later went on to be labeled as the ‘Sandpaper Gate’ and is considered one of the darkest moments in Australian cricket history. Cricket Australia took some bold calls as they first removed the captain and vice-captain of the side. Later, CA 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.