|| CF DESK ||

Australia's Test captain Tim Paine on Friday has quit after being investigated by Cricket Australia for sending inappropriate text messages to a female co-worker.

As per a report on cricket.com.au, Paine announced his resignation at a press conference in Hobart on Friday afternoon. Paine announced his shock resignation as Australian Test cricket captain over what he described as an inappropriate "private text exchange" with a then-colleague.

"It´s an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family, and cricket. As a background on my decision, nearly four years ago, I was involved in a text exchange with a then-colleague,"Paine quits as Test captain over sexting scandal.

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

In a statement, Cricket Australia said, "The Board has accepted Tim’s resignation and will now work through a process with the national selection panel of identifying and appointing a new captain,"

"While the board acknowledges an investigation cleared Tim of any breach of the code of conduct regarding this matter some years ago, we respect his decision. CA does not condone this type of language or behaviour. Tim will continue to be available for selection in the Test team through the Ashes summer," the statement added.

The wicketkeeper-batter took over the captaincy following the infamous ball-tampering scandal, involving ex-skipper Steve Smith, then vice-captain David Warner and batter Cameron Bancroft.