Tim Paine has stood down as captain of the Australian test cricket team, after being embroiled in a 'sexting' scandal with a former female co-worker.
According to Herald Sun, Paine sent a Cricket Tasmania employee a “d*** pic” and a series of sordid messages on the eve of the 2017 Ashes series.
The woman claimed she was offended by "Mr Paine's sexually explicit, unwelcome and unsolicited photograph of his genitals in addition to the graphic sexual comments".
"I'm announcing my decision to stand down as the captain of the Australian men's test team," Paine told a media conference in the Tasmanian capital of Hobart on Friday.
"It's an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family, and cricket.
"On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain, or the wider community."
Although Cricket Australia had exonerated him of any breach of its code of conduct, Paine said he had made the decision to step down, as he was aware the investigation by the body's integrity unit would be made public.
"Although exonerated, I deeply regretted this incident at the time, and still do today," says Paine.
"I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support.
"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."
The wicketkeeper-batsman will remain a part of the squad for the upcoming Ashes series against England.
Cricket Australia says: "The Board has accepted Tim's resignation and will now work through a process with the national selection panel of identifying and appointing a new captain.
"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.
"CA does not condone this type of language or behaviour."
"I do not want this to become an unwelcome disruption to the team ahead of what is a huge Ashes Series. I have loved my role ... as captain of the Australian cricket team.
"It's been the greatest privilege of my sporting life to lead the Australian men's test team.
"I'm grateful for the support of my team mates and proud of what we've been able to achieve together. To them, I ask for their understanding and forgiveness.
"To Australian cricket fans, I'm deeply sorry that my past behaviour has impacted our game on the eve of the Ashes.
"For the disappointment I have caused to fans and the entire cricket community, I apologise. I've been blessed with a wonderful, loving and supportive family, and it breaks my heart to know how much I've let them down."
In 2018, Paine took over the test captaincy from Steve Smith, after the infamous ball-tampering saga.
He led Australia during the 2019 Ashes series, where they retained the iconic trophy on foreign soil for the first time in 18 years.
The revelations come just three weeks out from the first test of the Ashes series in Brisbane, starting December 8.
"I do not want this to become an unwelcome disruption to the team ahead of what is a huge Ashes Series," Paine continues.
"It's been the greatest privilege of my sporting life to lead the Australian men's test team.
"I'm grateful for the support of my team mates and proud of what we've been able to achieve together. To them, I ask for their understanding and forgiveness.
"To Australian cricket fans, I'm deeply sorry that my past behaviour has impacted our game on the eve of the Ashes.
"For the disappointment I have caused to fans and the entire cricket community, I apologise. I've been blessed with a wonderful, loving and supportive family, and it breaks my heart to know how much I've let them down."
