Aussie captain Tim Paine resigns amid sexting scandal  

Australian Test cricket captain Tim Paine has resigned from the job, following allegations he sent lewd text messages to a female co-worker.

An investigation was launched into sexual messages he reportedly sent to a co-worker.

Paine, who is married with two children, announced the decision at a press conference in Hobart without taking any questions.

"I'm announcing my decision to stand down as the captain of the Australian men's Test team. It's an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family, and cricket," an emotional Paine said in a hastily arranged media conference this afternoon,” said Paine.

He further added, “Nearly four years ago, I was involved in a text exchange with a then-colleague. At the time, the exchange was the subject of a thorough CA Integrity Unit investigation, throughout which I fully participated in and openly participated in".

"That investigation and a Cricket Tasmania HR investigation at the same time found that there had been no breach of the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct”.

"Although exonerated, I deeply regretted this incident at the time, and still do today."

Paine said after speaking to his wife, he found the best decision was to step back from his role.

"I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support. We thought this incident was behind us and that I could focus entirely on the team, as I have done for the last three or four years.

"However, I recently became aware that this private text exchange was going to become public,” he added.

"On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain, or the wider community. I'm deeply sorry for the hurt and pain that I have caused to my wife, my family, and to the other party. I'm sorry for any damage that this does to the reputation of our sport.

"And I believe that it is the right decision for me to stand down as captain, effective immediately."

As per background of the scandal, the messages were sent ahead of the Brisbane Test in 2017, to a woman who worked with Paine in the Tasmanian state setup.

The woman, then, resigned from her role later that year ahead of an investigation into the incident, which cleared Paine of any wrongdoing in terms of the CA code of conduct.

The incident was investigated by Tasmania Cricket at the time.

But after learning the incident would come to light, Paine said he had no choice but to stand down.

For now, current vice-captain and star bowler Pat Cummins is the standout candidate to take over as captain.