In a major blow for hosts Australia, captain Tim Paine has stepped down as the captain of the Test team just 3 weeks ahead of the massive Ashes title defence against arch-rivals England. Paine stepped down as the leader of the pack after reports emerged of a sexting scandal involving him and a Cricket Tasmania employee in 2017. Paine who was made the captain of Australia after the infamous ball-tampering scandal in 2018 was earlier cleared of the charges in an internal Cricket Australia investigation.
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In a press conference, Paine apologised to the fans and to his family & also for damaging the sport through his behaviour.
Fast bowler Pat Cummins has emerged as the front runner to replace Paine as the 47th Test captain of the Australian Men's cricket team as they prepare to take on England in what promises to be a blockbuster summer of cricket.