Paine quits as Test captain.

[Donny]

Tim Paine has stood down as Test captain in a bombshell announcement that has thrown Australia's Ashes defence into chaos less than three weeks out from the series opener.

Paine announced his resignation at a tearful press conference in Hobart on Friday afternoon after details, first reported by News Corp, of an off-field scandal emerged.

An emotional Paine apologised to fans but stated that he is still "looking forward to a huge Ashes tour", indicating that he intends to continue in his role as the team's wicketkeeper, pending selection.

More: https://www.cricket.com.au/news/tim-pai ... 2021-11-19

[Donny]

Much water to flow under this bridge.

Like: Paine has resigned as Test captain. Will he be retained, as keeper ? If not, who ? Wade, Carey, even Inglis ?

Who will be named as his replacement, as captain ? Cummins, Smith, even Wade (if selected to keep). Jimmy Peirson is not out of the picture, either.

Thoughts ?

[K]

Sad day for Oz cricket.

Media say it'll be "cleanskin" Cummins. By default, it has to be. No one else has any claim.

Carey is clearly next in line for the keeping job. But there's no rush there.

[K]

Cummins almost certain to be next Test captain

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket ... 59agx.html


How Cricket Australia made Paine’s humiliating exit so much worse

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket ... 59agz.html

[K]

Worst since Lawry: CA slammed for ‘appalling’ treatment of Paine

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket ... 59bex.html

[K]

Good leader, flawed human: Paine’s lessons for Australian sport

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/go ... 59aqg.html

[Opinion piece by SMH's rugby reporter, Georgina Robinson.]

[K]

Fairfax/9 reports the players are unhappy with the way Paine was treated by CA.

And CA interviewed Cummins & Smith by video. The decision could come as early as Friday.

[Skids]

Fairfax/9 reports the players are unhappy with the way Paine was treated by CA.

And CA interviewed Cummins & Smith by video. The decision could come as early as Friday.

And rightly so! What a ridiculous reaction to stand him down.

Paine should have stood up, said "That was years ago, nobody got hurt, let's move on" and that should have been the end of it.

This sort of garbage, dredging up mud to sling has become so stupid, it's nauseating.

[K]

Breaking news: Paine has taken indefinite leave.


Last night, Ponting said Cummins would make a good fist of the captaincy if they give it to him.

[Donny]

"Paine took part in a second XI game for Tasmania this week, his first match since off-season neck surgery, and had been named to play a Marsh One-Day Cup game for the Tigers today where he was set to keep wicket and bat at No.3.

He was then expected to fly to Queensland on Saturday to join Australia's Test squad.

But in a shock statement this morning, Cricket Tasmania confirmed the 36-year-old would instead be stepping away from the game."

CA.

[Jezza]

And rightly so! What a ridiculous reaction to stand him down.

Paine should have stood up, said "That was years ago, nobody got hurt, let's move on" and that should have been the end of it.

This sort of garbage, dredging up mud to sling has become so stupid, it's nauseating.

Agree. It's been a total overreaction.

The media is driving him to mental despair the way they're acting.

[K]

Well, Jezza, most media didn't. They've known about it for a long time. The Fairfax guys weren't into airing it. Dunno who did (or was gonna).

[K]

The hidden history of the Paine scandal

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/te ... 59c2f.html