Tim Paine Claims Former Cricket Tasmania Coworker Also Sent Him Explicit Text Messages
Published - 01 Apr 2022, 08:38 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:06 AM
Former Australian Test skipper Tim Paine alleged that he received explicit messages from the woman who has accused the player of sexual harassment. The Australian wicketkeeper-batter will produce substantial evidence in court over the explicit text that maligned his image in the public domain.
Renee Ferguson, a former receptionist at Cricket Tasmania, alleged that Paine sent her explicit messages, including the unsolicited image of his genitals in November 2017. After the texting scandal went viral, Paine stepped down from Australia’s Test captaincy role just before the Ashes 2021-22.
Cricket Tasmania tells the court that Ms Ferguson also sent Tim Paine explicit messages – Reports
According to a report by Sydney Morning Herald, Cricket Tasmania has responded by claiming in court that Ms Ferguson also sent the cricketer ‘highly’ explicit messages. In documents filed with the court, Paine reportedly describes her version of their virtual correspondence as ‘incomplete and inaccurate.
Paine claimed he and the former staffer exchanged about 20 to 30 messages.
“‘The applicant’s text messages to Mr Paine escalated such that they contained highly sexualised and explicit sexual content,’ Cricket Tasmania admitted.
Renee Ferguson wants an estimated $900,000 from Cricket Tasmania in compensation
Court documents previously claimed Ms Ferguson tried to steer the text conversation away from a sexual nature, reports mentioned. Ferguson said she got offended and ‘taken aback’ after Paine sent her the unsolicited image.
She resigned from Cricket Tasmania immediately after being suspended and claimed, in the court documents, that she was left with suicidal thoughts after the alleged sexual harassment incident. Ferguson has demanded an estimated $900,000 from Cricket Tasmania in compensation for her mental suffering.
Paine’s wife Bonnie was aware of the ‘sexting scandal’ but stood with her husband after things were blown out of proportion.
Paine took over the captaincy role after Australia was hit with the ball-tampering scandal in Capetown in 2018. Under him, the team retained the Ashes in 2019.
Paine took a mental health break from cricket after the sexting scandal incident was leaked and missed the Test series against England and Pakistan. The matter will return back to the Federal Court on May 10.
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