Lewd texts expose stunning truth behind Tim Paine scandal
New text messages have come to light that show Tim Paine discussed what would happen if he got caught in the sexting scandal that has rocked Australian cricket.
The veteran wicketkeeper sensationally quit as Australia's Test captain on Friday after a historical sexting scandal became public.
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Paine, who has been facing a race against time to be fit for the first Ashes Test against England on December 8, was named in a News Corp report for sending explicit messages to a female co-worker.
News Corp has since revealed more details of the lewd text exchange, including evidence Paine knew he was potentially jeopardising his career.
The Herald Sun was first to reveal that Paine had sent a “d*** pic” to the woman in question before the start of the 2017/18 Ashes series.
The same publication has now released more screenshots of the text messages between the two, in which they touch on the ramifications of the saga if it ever went public.
“We’re both f-ked if this got out,” the woman texted, to which Paine reportedly responded with an image of his penis and the words: “True, so f —ked”.
According to The Herald Sun, some of the messages between the pair included lewd comments.
“Will you want to taste my *** ?? F*** me, I’m seriously hard," the alleged messages read.
Paine took over as Australian cricket captain after the 2018 South Africa Tour, which involved the notorious sandpaper incident.
The Tasmanian star guided Australia during one of its toughest periods ever, but will no longer remain as captain to defend the Ashes.
Paine said he sent messages to the former employee of Cricket Tasmania in late 2017 - a few months before he was made captain of the Test side in the wake of the ball-tampering saga in March 2018.
Cricket Tasmania says it first learned of the sexting scandal in mid-2018.
It was investigated by Cricket Australia's integrity unit and Paine said he was "exonerated" but recently became aware the exchange would be made public.
Paine said he was "deeply sorry" for the pain caused to his wife, family and the former Cricket Tasmania employee and apologised for damaging the reputation of the sport.
"I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support," he said.
"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.
"On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain, or the wider community."
Pat Cummins a frontrunner take over as captain
CA says it will work through a process of appointing a new skipper. Fast bowler and vice-captain Pat Cummins was tipped to assume the role once Paine retired.
CA chair Richard Freudenstein said Paine would continue to be available for selection in the Test team through the Ashes summer.
"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," Freudenstein said.
"CA does not condone this type of language or behaviour.
"Despite the mistake he made, Tim has been an exceptional leader since his appointment and the board thanks him for his distinguished service."
Cricket Tasmania says it was made aware of the allegations against Paine when the female employee was charged with theft in mid-2018.
Chairman Andrew Gaggin said no complaint was raised at the time of the incident in November 2017, nor when the employee's position with the organisation was terminated.
"As soon as Cricket Tasmania was made aware, it undertook an investigation that determined the interaction was consensual, private, occurred on the one occasion only, was between mature adults and was not repeated," he said.
He said Cricket Tasmania does not condone "this type of behaviour" but no further action was required or appropriate because of the consensual nature of the messages.
with AAP
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