Pat Cummins has been announced as the man to lead Australia in the Ashes just hours after former Test captain Tim Paine announced he was taking a leave of absence from all forms of cricket following a sexting scandal.
Pat Cummins has been confirmed as Australia’s captain after Tim Paine, was found guilty in a ‘sexting scandal’ of 2017.
Tim Paine stepped down as Australia’s Test captain last Friday for sending ‘inappropriate messages’ to a female co-worker in 2017. Although Cricket Australia exonerated him of any breach of its code of conduct.
“I am honoured to accept this role ahead of what will be a massive Ashes summer,” Cummins said in a statement.”
“I hope I can provide the same leadership Tim (Paine) has given the group in the past few years. With Steve and I as captains, a number of very senior players in this squad and some great young talent coming through we are a strong and tightly knit group,” he said.
Cricket Tasmania also released a statement announcing the news on Friday morning and said it will :
“Continue to support Tim and his family both professionally and personally over the summer”.
“Tim’s decision makes him unavailable for selection for today’s Marsh One-Day Cup match against Western Australia. His place in the squad will be taken by Charlie Wakim,” the statement read.