Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting said Tim Paine's resignation from the captaincy due to a 'sexting' scandal will "inevitably" be a distraction during the five-Test Ashes series against England.
Paine was set to lead Australia into the home Ashes series last year until the sexting allegations became public. He stepped down and was replaced by Pat Cummins.
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While form is important, Tim Paine's hopes of retaining his spot may ultimately rest on whether selectors feel he might be a major distraction amid the pressures of an Ashes series.
Pakistan lost two early wickets before captain Babar Azam steadied the ship with an innings of 79.
