‘I knew it was going to come out at some point, as much as I didn't want it to’: Tim and Bonnie Paine break their silence

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine and his wife, Bonnie opened up on the 2017 sexting controversy. The wicketkeeper-batter had sent inappropriate vulgar messages to his co-worker. Earlier, in 2018, the matter was already investigated by Cricket Australia (CA) and Paine had got the green signal from the board. However, ahead of the Ashes 2021-22, the matter again came into the limelight and fingers were pointed out at the former Australian Test skipper.  

Paine’s wife, Bonnie has hit back at the media and all the people who were constantly raising fingers at his husband by saying that they have already moved on from the tragedy.

“I have had my time of getting angry, and venting, and to get upset, and we fought and we talked, and then we both decided to move on with life, and do it together,” Bonnie told News Corp.

“I feel a bit frustrated that it’s all been brought up and aired in the public when we’d put it to bed years ago. I have moved forward since then. I feel like there is a lot of injustice for it being dragged out again,” she added.

Moreover, Bonnie expressed her frustration after watching the criticism of her husband despite being honest with her.

“I felt betrayed, and I felt hurt, upset, and I felt pissed off, I also had feelings of gratitude because he was being so honest with me.”

Along with Bonnie, Tim has also revealed that he was already aware that the controversy may rise again ahead of the big series (the Ashes) even though he didn't want it to be highlighted again.

"I thought the issue was dealt with, but it always popped up around a big series, or at the start of the cricket season. Over the last three years, there have been numerous times where media agencies have put to us that they had evidence, yet they never chose to write it. But I knew it was going to come out at some point, as much as I didn't want it to."

The Ashes will kickstart from December 8 at the Gabba, Brisbane, and Paine has already resigned as a captain and will now play only as a wicketkeeper-batter. Australia are yet to make an official announcement but Pat Cummins is likely to lead the team.