The Payne scandal will be a distraction during the Ashes: Ponting

Former Australia captain Rich Ponting stated that Tim Payne’s resignation as captain due to the “sexy texting” scandal would “inevitably” distract attention in the five-match Test Ashes series against England.

Paine resigned from the role last Friday after the media disclosed that he was under investigation and cleared a sex message sent to a female former colleague of the Tasmanian cricket team in 2017.

“I think it will inevitably (distract). He made a huge appeal for himself, for the Australian cricket team and for the improvement of the Australian cricket team. But it will not go away,” Ponting said cricket.com.au.

“Although we all hope to see it disappear, it will inevitably exist at a point where it has never been talked about.

“Unfortunately for Tim, he will be asked about this wherever he goes…it will explode, hopefully it will have enough time to enter Brisbane (first test).”

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Australian spinner Nathan Lyon played down the impact of Payne’s presence on the team.

“I don’t think it will be distracting at all,” Lyon told reporters on Thursday.

“At the end of the day, we are professional athletes. We know what we must do and how we must do it.”

The Ashes will begin in Gabba on December 8.

Ponting said that if the 36-year-old player is eliminated, Alex Carey can replace Payne as the goalkeeper, but he supports Josh Inglis, who has not made his international debut, as the long-term behind these stumps. successor.

“I publicly stated that I like Inglis-I think he will become a very good cricketer in Australia for a long time, no matter what form they choose him first, whether it is T20s or single day board. The ball is still a cricket test,” added Ponting.

However, Leon said he wanted Paine behind the stump.

“The selector said that we will pick the best 11 players. In my opinion, Tim Payne is the best goalkeeper in the world,” he said.

“From a bowler’s point of view, this is very selfish. I want the best glove behind the stump.”