Appointing Tim Paine As Captain Clearly Sent Wrong Message To The Sport, Admits Richard Freudenstein

Cricket Australia chairman Richard Freudenstein admitted that it was a mistake for them to allow Tim Paine to lead Australia’s Test team after his matter came into the public domain.

On Friday, wicketkeeper-batter Tim Paine resigned from Australia’s Test captaincy role after the emergence of an investigation four years ago by Cricket Australia for sending an explicit image to a female co-worker at Cricket Tasmania.

Cricket Australia would not make the same decisions today: Richard Freudenstein

Paine was appointed as the Test captain after Australia were found in another infamous ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town in 2018.

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Freudenstein said the board won’t make the decision to appoint anyone captain who is involved in conflicts like Paine.

“While I cannot speak about the original decision-making in 2018, what I can say is that faced with the same circumstances, and with the benefit of all relevant information about this matter, Cricket Australia would not make the same decisions today,” Freudenstein said in a press conference.

“I acknowledge that the decision clearly sent the wrong message to the sport, to the community and to Tim – that this kind of behaviour is acceptable and without serious consequences,” he added.

Australia captain must have highest standards: Richard Freudenstein

Freudenstein also said that the board will have a review about its decisions and spoke about the standards of the Australian captain

“The role of Australia captain must be held to the highest standards. Every issue is different. Every circumstance is different,” Freudenstein said.

Cricket Australia will have very few choices between former Australian captain Steve Smith, who was axed after the ball-tampering scandal, or Cummins, who is currently the vice-captain of the Test side.

Many former Australian players have backed Cummins to lead the team in the oldest format.

Also Read: Travis Head Reacts On Tim Paine’s Resignation As Test Skipper, Says ‘Guess We Will Know More About The Matter In Next 24-48 Hours’