Former Australia test captain Tim Paine has advised Cricket Australia he will be taking a leave of absence from all forms of cricket “for the foreseeable future”.
Paine resigned from the captaincy last Friday after sexually explicit texts he had sent to a former female colleague at Cricket Tasmania became public which he sent to a female colleague in 2017.
He returned to playing duties for Tasmania’s second XI during the week and was set to play a ODI for Tasmania on Friday before his late withdrawal.
Cricket Tasmania, who Paine plays for domestically, released the following statement on Friday (26):
“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.”
Tim’s decision makes him unavailable for selection for today’s Marsh One-Day Cup match against Western Australia. His place in the squad will be taken by Charlie Wakim.
“We recognise that this is an incredibly difficult time for Tim and his family and are committed to supporting them,” Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley said. “We respect and understand Tim’s decision to have a break at this time to focus on his and his family’s well-being.
“The National Selection Panel will meet in the coming days to discuss the final squad ahead of the first Ashes Test on December 8.”
Paine’s manager, James Henderson, said on Twitter he was “extremely concerned” about the mental health of Paine and Paine’s wife’s Bonnie.
Confirming that @tdpaine36 is stepping away from cricket for an indefinite mental health break. We are extremely concerned for his and Bonnie’s well-being and will be making no further comment at this time.
— James Henderson (@jahenderson63) November 25, 2021
Paine also apologised for his behaviour in the drawn third Test against India in Sydney in January, after sledging spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and being fined 15% of his match fee for showing dissent and swearing at umpire Paul Wilson.
Earlier this week spinner Nathan Lyon and batter Marcus Harris both said Paine had the team’s.
“The selectors said they were going to pick the best available XI,” Lyon said. “In my eyes, Tim Paine is the best keeper in the world.”