Paine resigned as captain of the Australian cricket team and publicly apologised in November last year when the texts became public. Photo / Getty Images
Paine resigned as captain of the Australian cricket team and publicly apologised in November last year when the texts became public. Photo / Getty Images
Former Aussie test cricket captain Tim Paine is accused in court documents of sending "unsolicited" sexts and d*** pics to a receptionist who is fighting for $100,000 in compensation from a cricketing body.
Renee Ferguson launched legal action in the Federal Court against Cricket Tasmania claiming several employees – includingthe former captain – sexually harassed her during her time at the sporting body in 2017.
The mum and former employee said in court documents inappropriate sexual comments and "sexually explicit text messages" to colleagues was accepted behaviour and workplace culture at the organisation.
In a shocking twist in the 18-page legal document the woman alleges the graphic texts were not consensual, as Paine said when he resigned last year.
"Regardless neither of us are in a position of power …. we are both f***ed if this got out".
The wicket keeper then allegedly sent a photo of his penis with the caption: "true, so f***ed".
She was "taken aback" and left offended when she got the explicit photo, according to the court documents.
As well as getting messages from Paine, his brother-in-law Shannon Tubb also allegedly sent her lewd messages while he was Cricket Tasmania's high-performance manager, according to court documents.
He now coaches cricket at a prestigious South Australian school.
"Hey everyone, [the woman] will be naked in my apartment at 11 today. Get your binoculars out and I will open the curtains," he allegedly said in front of other colleagues.
When Ferguson told managers about the complaints she was allegedly told: "I'm not saying it didn't happen, but you need to move forward."
The former receptionist wants $100,000 from the organisation for recognition of her loss, hurt and humiliation she endured and an apology.
She claims the behaviour was "relentless and systemic" and left her feeling deflated.
Her mental health suffered, she struggled to care for her children and struggled with suicidal ideation, according to the documents.
A federal court judge urged Cricket Tasmania and Ferguson into mediation, which will go ahead next month.
Paine resigned as captain of the Australian cricket team and publicly apologised in November last year when the texts became public.
