Steve Smith in Sandpaper Gate, Paine in texting scandal: Another Australia captain ends tenure in controversy

Around three and a half years after the infamous ‘Sandpapergate’ controversy that forced Cricket Australia to sack and ban then captain Steve Smith, another scandal has rocked the cricket fraternity as Tim Paine stepped down as Australia Test cricket captain on Friday for sending inappropriate text messages to a female co-worker.

Paine became the second successive Australian Test captain after his predecessor Smith, whose tenure ended in controversy. Both Smith and Paine broke down during their respective press conferences following the sandpaper gate fiasco and texting scandal.

Notably, Paine took over as captain from Steve Smith after the star batsman was banned for two years from leadership roles for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal that brought disrepute to Australia in South Africa.

Steve Smith was sacked following the ball-tampering scandal

During the third day of the third Test in Capetown, the TV camera caught Australia opener, Cameron Bancroft, using sandpaper to rough up the ball. At the end of the day’s play, both Bancroft and Smith admitted to ball-tampering at a press conference. Cricket Australia (CAA) stripped Smith and Warner of the captaincy and vice-captaincy respectively, and Tim Paine was made the new Test captain.

But then Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull took his “shocking disappointment” to CA and urged the authorities to take as stringent action as possible. CA launched its own investigation following which they banned Smith and Warner for 12 months each, while Bancroft was handed a nine-month suspension. CA also decided that Warner would not be considered for “team leadership positions in the future” and Smith was given at least a 12-month cooling-off for leadership positions following his re-entry to cricket.

Tim Paine quits over sexting scandal

Paine on Friday stepped down from the post after being investigated by Cricket Australia over sending a co-worker an explicit image of himself along with a string of lewd messages. The development comes weeks ahead of the Ashes series against old foes England.

Paine broke down in tears as he faced the media and confirmed how he was embroiled in the text exchange and that he would be stepping down as captain of the team. Cricket Australia’s statement said its board had accepted Paine’s resignation and will look to appoint a new Test captain.

Cricket Australia said Paine “will continue to be available for selection in the Test team through the Ashes summer.” Paine said at the media conference that he thought the matter had been dealt with several years ago.