Cricket Australia should have handled the investigation into sexually explicit texts sent by Tim Paine to a female colleague differently, says its chief executive Richard Freudenstein.
Paine, 36, said he was “exonerated” in 2018 over messages sent to a Cricket Tasmania female colleague in 2017.
He was appointed Australia captain earlier in 2018 but resigned on Friday over the controversy.
“I can’t talk about the 2018 decision, I wasn’t there,” said Freudenstein.
“This includes being able to provide any further insights around how the original judgement was made, that Tim’s behaviour did not breach the code of conduct and that it did not warrant any further disciplinary action.
“While I cannot speak about the original decision-making in 2018, what I can say is that faced with the same circumstances, and with the benefit of all relevant information about this matter, Cricket Australia would not make the same decisions today.
“I acknowledge that the decision clearly sent the wrong message to the sport, to the community and to Tim - that this kind of behaviour is acceptable and without serious consequences.
“The role of Australia captain must be held to the highest standards.” (BBC Sport)