Cricket Australia chairman Richard Freudenstein has conceded that former Test skipper Tim Paine should have been relieved of his leadership role when the initial investigation into his actions took place three years ago.
While Freudenstein flat-batted a range of questions regarding the investigation and Cricket Australia’s initial decision on the matter, he admitted the wrong decision had been made back in 2018, prior to his arrival on the board.
“I acknowledge the decision clearly sent the wrong message that this behaviour is acceptable and without serious consequences,” he said in a joint press conference with CA CEO Nick Hockley.
“The role of Australian cricket captain must be held to the highest standards.”
The chairman said that despite the “mistake” made by Paine, the wicketkeeper had been an exceptional leader of Australian cricket over the past three years.
Freudenstein also refused to answer when asked if Paine would have remained captain had the scandal not been made public this week, saying he did not want to deal in hypotheticals.
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Hockley was appointed to his role earlier this year after serving in an interim role since 2020, with Freudenstein joining CA as a director in 2019. He became chairman last month.
“Neither of us, Nick Hockley or myself, can speak directly to the decision-making process in 2018,” he said.
“This includes being able to provide any further insight around how the original judgement was made that Tim’s behaviour did not breach the code of conduct and did not warrant any further disciplinary action.
“While I cannot speak about the original decision-making in 2018, what I can say is faced with the same circumstances and with the benefit of all the relevant information about this matter, Cricket Australia would not make the same decisions today.”
“A decision was made in 2018,” was an oft-repeated line from Freudenstein as reporters repeatedly tried to coax more out of both he and Hockley in terms of how much their hands were forced as a result of Paine’s lewd text messages being made public.
Both Freudenstein and Hockley said they were unaware whether Australian coach Justin Langer or Cricket Australia GM Ben Oliver knew of the investigation into Paine
“I’m not aware of what Justin or Ben were privy to, and at what stage – sorry I don’t have anything further,” Hockley said.
Assertions that progress made in terms of improving the men’s team’s culture over the past few years had been ruined by Paine’s prior actions were also rejected.
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“The culture of the team is very strong, and what is happening in Australian cricket at both at a Test level, a professional level and a community level – there’s so much good work going on across Australian cricket and I think that will continue,” Freudenstein said.
While there has been some doubt over whether Paine will line up for Australia in the first Ashes Test on December 8, Freudenstein insisted that the 36-year-old would remain available for selection.
“The role of the Australian captain has to be held to an incredibly high standard, and Tim has made the decision that based on his behaviour, it was not appropriate for him to be Australian captain, and we support that decision.
“But that’s where it stands.”
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