Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Tim Paine takes indefinite break from all forms of cricket | Wicket-keeper Tim Paine out of first Test at least after taking break

Australian keeper-batsman Tim Paine is out of the first Ashes Test at least after deciding to take an indefinite mental health break from all forms of cricket.

After resigning from the captaincy last week due to a sexting scandal, Paine said he would still make himself available for the Australian side as a player. Playing for Tasmania’s second XI, he looked in good form with the gloves, snapping up six catches in the first innings. However, he clearly struggled with the bat, and will now take a break from the game after what has been a whirlwind week.

Cricket Tasmania released a statement on Friday morning announcing Paine’s decision to take a break. More importantly, Paine will receive the support he needs.

“Following discussions over the last 24 hours, Tim Paine has advised Cricket Tasmania that he will be taking a leave of absence from all forms of cricket for the foreseeable future,” the statement read.

“Tim’s decision makes him unavailable for selection for today’s Marsh One-Day Cup match against Western Australia. His place in the squad will be taken by Charlie Wakim.

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

Tim Paine to miss at least the first Ashes Test

James Henderson, Paine’s manager, tweeted that Paine is to take an “indefinite mental health break”, and that he is “extremely concerned for his and (wife) Bonnie’s well-being”.

Up until last Friday, Paine was captain of the side and was gearing up to lead the side in their quest to retain the Ashes on home soil. However, a bombshell emerged as a sexting scandal from 2017 surfaced publicly, resulting in him resigning from the captaincy just weeks out from the big series.

Now, it is unclear whether Paine will don the baggy green ever again. The keeper-batsman will miss at least the first Test, but given the mental toll of the past seven days and how close each Test match is, one has to wonder whether there is any realistic chance of Paine featuring in the series at all.

This opens the door for the likes of Alex Carey and Josh Inglis, who are the frontrunners for the Australian keeper-batsman position. Both average in the mid-30s in First Class cricket, but Inglis could be slightly ahead in the pecking order due to better recent form.