Paine on ‘leave of absence', will skip Ashes Test series

SYDNEY • Tim Paine will miss the Ashes series against England while on a “leave of absence” from all cricket, state body Cricket Tasmania (CT) said yesterday, a week after the wicket-keeper stepped down from the Australian captaincy over a “sexting” scandal.

The former skipper, who will turn 37 next month, was due to play for Tasmania in a domestic oneday match in Hobart yesterday but will now be unavailable for “the foreseeable future”, the state association said in a brief statement.

“Cricket Tasmania will continue to support Tim and his family both professionally and personally over the summer.”

Speculation over Paine’s place in the Test team has been rife since his resignation over revelations that he was investigated for sending sexually explicit text messages to a female former Cricket Tasmania staff member four years ago.