<p>Former Australia Test cricket captain Tim Paine is set to miss the first Ashes Test and is taking an indefinite mental health break from the game.</p>.<p>The news comes a week after Paine tearfully quit as captain after revelations of a scandal involving the sending of inappropriate texts to a female co-worker in 2017.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/tim-paine-distressed-and-embarrassed-by-scandal-1052993.html" target="_blank">Tim Paine distressed and embarrassed by scandal</a></strong></p>.<p>Cricket Australia said on Friday that Paine advised them he would be "stepping away from cricket for a period of time."</p>.<p>"We recognise that this is an incredibly difficult time for Tim and his family and are committed to supporting them," Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said in a statement.</p>.<p>"We respect and understand Tim's decision to have a break at this time to focus on his and his family's well-being."</p>.<p>Paine's teammates were hoping for the wicketkeeper to play on December 8 — his 37th birthday — when Australia's five-test series against England begins in Brisbane. As of Thursday, the veteran was scheduled to join the test squad this weekend.</p>.<p>Paine was called up and set to bat in Tasmania's one-day match against Western Australia on Friday, giving him a chance to play five consecutive days of cricket after a low-key return via the state's second XI.</p>.<p>But Cricket Tasmania (CT) said Friday that Paine would not take his spot in the side.</p>.<p>"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," CT said in a statement.</p>.<p>"Cricket Tasmania will continue to support Tim and his family both professionally and personally over the summer."</p>.<p>Likely wicketkeeper replacements for Paine in the test side are Alex Carey or Josh Inglis.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Former Australia Test cricket captain Tim Paine is set to miss the first Ashes Test and is taking an indefinite mental health break from the game.</p>.<p>The news comes a week after Paine tearfully quit as captain after revelations of a scandal involving the sending of inappropriate texts to a female co-worker in 2017.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/tim-paine-distressed-and-embarrassed-by-scandal-1052993.html" target="_blank">Tim Paine distressed and embarrassed by scandal</a></strong></p>.<p>Cricket Australia said on Friday that Paine advised them he would be "stepping away from cricket for a period of time."</p>.<p>"We recognise that this is an incredibly difficult time for Tim and his family and are committed to supporting them," Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said in a statement.</p>.<p>"We respect and understand Tim's decision to have a break at this time to focus on his and his family's well-being."</p>.<p>Paine's teammates were hoping for the wicketkeeper to play on December 8 — his 37th birthday — when Australia's five-test series against England begins in Brisbane. As of Thursday, the veteran was scheduled to join the test squad this weekend.</p>.<p>Paine was called up and set to bat in Tasmania's one-day match against Western Australia on Friday, giving him a chance to play five consecutive days of cricket after a low-key return via the state's second XI.</p>.<p>But Cricket Tasmania (CT) said Friday that Paine would not take his spot in the side.</p>.<p>"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," CT said in a statement.</p>.<p>"Cricket Tasmania will continue to support Tim and his family both professionally and personally over the summer."</p>.<p>Likely wicketkeeper replacements for Paine in the test side are Alex Carey or Josh Inglis.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>