Cricket Australia has to deal with text investigation sexually explicit that Tim Payne sends to colleagues differently, says CEO Richard Freudenstein. Payne, 36, said he was “acquitted” in 2018 for sending a report to his Tasmanian cricket team in 2017.
He was named captain of Australia in early 2018 but stepped down on Friday due to controversy. “I can’t talk about the 2018 decision. I wasn’t there,” Freudenstein said. “This includes the ability to provide additional information about how the first conviction arose, that the Team’s behavior did not violate the Code. And that no further disciplinary action was required.
“While I cannot speak of the first decision-making in 2018, I can say that, given the same circumstances and with all the necessary information on this matter, Cricket Australia will not be making the same decision today… “I acknowledge that the decision sends the wrong message to sport, to society, and the Team. That this kind of behavior is acceptable and without severe consequences.
“The role of the Australian captain must be of the highest standard.”
Details of the investigation, revealed when Payne retired as captain at a press conference on Friday, had not been released at the time. Payne was appointed captain of Australia in 2018 following Steve Smith’s suspension over the counterfeiting scandal.
He retired before Ashes’ draw against England, which started 8 December, but the goalkeeper battery remains an option. Pace bowler Pat Cummins could take on the role of captain, but Freudenstein. Who joined CA’s board of directors in 2019, has not ruled out Smith’s promotion to the position.
“We have started the process of finding a new captain, which will take place this summer. And are waiting for Tim to retire one day,” he said. “Of course, we are speeding up this process … and we will come to that conclusion long before the ashes. He added: “There will be an extensive process, and now it is pretty fast. And we will look at several criteria. “There are several candidates for this role. Steve Smith is one candidate for this role.”