Tim Paine has stepped down as Australian men's Test cricket captain after revealing he was involved in a sexting scandal.
Paine said he was involved in a text exchange with a female former employee of Cricket Tasmania "nearly four years ago".
Paine said the text exchange had been previously investigated by Cricket Australia (CA) and he had been "exonerated'.
He was made aware recently the text exchange would become public and chose to step down, but he will remain a member of Australia's men's Test squad.
"It's an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family, and cricket," Paine said.
Tim Paine has resigned as captain of the Australia test side. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"As a background on my decision, 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.
"I deeply regretted this incident at the time, and still do today. 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."
Paine said he understood he had let down his family and the Australian cricket community.
"On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain, or the wider community," he said.
"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.
"I do not want this to become an unwelcome disruption to the team ahead of what is a huge Ashes series."
The Ashes begin on December 8 with the first Test at Brisbane's Gabba.
Paine said it would hurt him to no longer be the skipper.
"It's been the greatest privilege of my sporting life to lead the Australian men's Test team," he said.
"I'm grateful for the support of my teammates and proud of what we've been able to achieve together.
"To them, I ask for their understanding and forgiveness. To Australian cricket fans - [I'm] deeply sorry that my past behaviour has impacted our game on the eve of the Ashes.
"For the disappointment I have caused to fans and the entire cricket community, I apologise.
"I've been blessed with a wonderful, loving and supportive family, and it breaks my heart to know how much I've let them down.
"They have always stood by me, been my most loyal fans, and I'm indebted to them for their support."
-ABC
