Tim Paine retires from cricket 16 months on from sexting scandal

Former Australia captain Tim Paine retires from cricket in emotional scenes… 16 months after sexting scandal ended his international career

Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine has retired from domestic cricket, ending his career in the stumps in Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at Bellerive Oval.

Paine, who coached Australia in 23 Tests between the start of 2018 and 2021 and played 35 Tests overall, left the field to an honor guard of players from both sides.

He became Australia’s 46th test skipper when Steve Smith was withdrawn after the infamous ball-tampering scandal on Australia’s 2018 tour of South Africa.

The 38-year-old’s final outing was a low-key affair, with captains Tasmania and Queensland agreeing an early finish at tea on the fourth day.

Tim Paine has retired from all forms of cricket and played his last match on Friday.

The 38-year-old kept the wicket for Tasmania's game against Queensland at Blundstone Arena

The 38-year-old kept the wicket for Tasmania’s game against Queensland at Blundstone Arena

Queensland opener Bryce Street hit an unbeaten 102 to help his team to 1-184, still 248 runs from victory when the match was declared a draw.

The Hobart-born Paine represented Tasmania for 18 years after making his debut in 2005, playing 153 first-class matches.

“He’s been a phenomenal player, it’s an incredible effort to have the longevity he’s had,” Tasmania captain Jordan Silk said.

“I’m sure many will say there has never been a goalkeeper as good as Tim Paine in Australia.

“Considering his age, the level of maintenance he’s been able to maintain has been truly incredible.

“He sets a great example with his work ethic for all of our guys.

The wicketkeeper resigned as Australia captain ahead of the 2021-2022 Ashes series

The wicketkeeper resigned as Australia captain ahead of the 2021-2022 Ashes series

He was embroiled in a sexting scandal with a Cricket Australia staff member.

He was embroiled in a sexting scandal with a Cricket Australia staff member.

TIM PAINE’S TEST RACE

Matches: 35

Executions: 1534

Highest Score: 92

Average: 32.63

Catches, stumps: 150, 7

Captaincy record: 11 wins, eight losses, four draws

“We have been incredibly blessed here and we wish him all the best in whatever he chooses to do in the future.”

Paine, who made his Test debut against Pakistan at Lords in 2010, averaged 32.63 with a top score of 92 and made 157 dismissals behind stumps.

He also played 35 one day international matches.

He resigned as Test captain in the run-up to the 2021-22 Ashes series when explicit text messages he sent to a Cricket Tasmania employee in 2017 became public.

Paine was cleared of wrongdoing at the time by Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia insiders.

He intended to continue playing against England on the way back from injury before stepping away from the sport indefinitely amid heavy media scrutiny.

Despite not having a full-time state contract, Paine trained with Tasmania’s top team in the run-up to the summer, earning a withdrawal from the Sheffield Shield for their season opener against Queensland.

He played seven games in the season and also featured in the Big Bash League game for his hometown Hobart Hurricanes.

Paine has previously signaled a shift toward postgame training.