Instead of focusing on preparations for the upcoming Ashes series, Cricket Australia has had to deal with various off field-controversies and frankly speaking, they have no one else but themselves to blame for all this mess.

Whatever embarrassment the board is facing right now could have been avoided had they chosen not to neglect the issue and taken appropriate action five year ago.

Tim Paine has announced his resignation as Australian Men's Test captain.

Read more https://t.co/BFpHQXWJav pic.twitter.com/RzySzb9nbM

— ICC (@ICC) November 19, 2021

After Tim Paine resigned from Australia's Test captaincy, the country's cricket board hoped that things would go back to normal but they were hugely mistaken.

Cricket Australia got some fucked up priorities when making Tim Paine captain... pic.twitter.com/BwojsjbQpL

— Josh Moloney (@joshmoloney89) November 19, 2021

If Paine’s ‘sexting’ scandal wasn’t enough, they find themselves embroiled in yet another similar situation. As per a report published in Herald Sun, Paine’s brother-in-law Shannon Tubb, who played first-class cricket for Tasmamia in the 90s, had also sent explicit messages to the same female co-worker.

Following the investigation conducted by Cricket Tasmania in 2018, Tubb was allegedly sacked from his coaching role due to his unsavoury conduct. As per the report, the woman claimed that Tubb, who is married to Paine’s sister, sexually harassed her for months and sent her explicit messages and even sent her an unsolicited picture of his genitalia.

© Twitter Sony Sports India

The report also adds that the investigation of Tubb’s alleged misconduct took place around the same time as Paine back in 2018. While Paine was given a clean chit after Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania’s joint-investigation, Tubb’s contract was terminated with immediate effect and he was asked to leave.

Two matters of similar nature yet different verdicts. This raises a huge question on Cricket Tasmania -- the local state body which was part of both the investigations.

Tim Paine texts… pic.twitter.com/mSu0nVR6mP

— David Coverdale (@dpcoverdale) November 19, 2021

In fact, both these matters wouldn’t have come to the light had these chats not been leaked on the internet. It was only after Paine’s messages got leaked online that Cricket Australia rushed to save its face and demanded resignation from the Australian wicket-keeper.

Tim Paine speaking after confirming he'd stand down as the Australian Men's Test captain. He will be available for the Ashes. pic.twitter.com/PdwPIvfHXl

— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) November 19, 2021

While announcing his decision to resign last week, Paine said: “I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support. On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain, or the wider community.”

Cricket Australia might try to look like saints saying they took the necessary action. But it’s no secret that they didn't take this decision willingly. It was forced upon them and they had no other choice.

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