Australian captain Tim Paine has resigned as Test skipper after a historic investigation by Cricket Australia for sending explicit messages to a female co-worker in 2017 became public.

Paine broke down in tears as he fronted a press conference on Friday morning to detail the sexting incident, which occurred with a former employee of Cricket Tasmania before he became Australian skipper.

The bombshell, which has rocked Australian cricket less than three weeks out from the start of The Ashes, marked the nation’s second consecutive skipper to resign in tears following Steve Smith stepping down amid the sandpaper saga in 2018.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family and cricket,” Paine said.

“As a background on my decision, nearly four years ago I was involved in a text exchange with a then-colleague.

“At the time the exchange was the subject of a thorough CA Integrity Unit investigation throughout which I fully and openly participated in.

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“That investigation and Cricket Tasmania investigation at the same time found there had been no breach of the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct. Although exonerated, I deeply regretted this incident at the time and still do today.”

Cricket Australia’s board has accepted the veteran’s resignation, with Australia now searching for a new captain just 18 days out from the first Ashes Test.

Paine, who will still remain available for Test selection, said he was “deeply sorry” for the pain the incident had caused those around him.

“I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support. We thought this incident was behind us and I could focus entirely on the team as I have done for the last three or four years,” he said.

“However I recently became aware that this private text exchange was going to become public. On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain or the wider community.

“I am deeply sorry for the hurt and pain that I have caused to my wife, my family and to the other party.”

Paine apologised for the “damage this does to the reputation of our sport”.

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“I do not want this to become an unwelcome disruption to the team ahead of what is a huge Ashes series,” he said.

“I have loved my role as captain of the Australian cricket team. It has been the greatest privilege of my sporting life to lead the Australian men’s Test team. I am grateful for the support of my teammates. I’m proud of what we have been able to achieve together.

“To them I ask for their understanding and forgiveness. To Australian cricket fans, I am deeply sorry that my past behaviour has impacted our game on the eve of the Ashes. For the disappointment I have caused to fans and the entire cricket community, I apologise.”

Cricket Australia chair Richard Freudenstein said the board would work through a process with the National Selection Panel of identifying to appoint a new captain.

“While the board acknowledges an investigation cleared Tim of any breach of the code of conduct regarding this matter some years ago, we respect his decision,” Freudenstein said.

“CA does not condone this type of language or behaviour.

“Despite the mistake he made, Tim has been an exceptional leader since his appointment and the board thanks him for his distinguished service. Tim will continue to be available for selection in the Test team through the Ashes summer.”

Paine, who has played 35 Tests, has been Australian captain since 2018 after taking over from Smith following the team’s sandpaper scandal in South Africa.

Australia’s vice-captain Pat Cummins looms as favourite to take over the top job, with a decision expected in the coming days.

South Australia’s Alex Carey and WA’s Josh Inglis appear in the frame to step up as potential wicketkeepers should Paine lose his spot in the side.

In a statement, Cricket Tasmania said they were only made award of the allegations when formal charges of theft were laid against the employee in mid 2018.

“As soon as Cricket Tasmania was made aware, it undertook and investigation that determined the interaction was consensual, private, occurred on the one occasion only, was made between mature adults and was no repeated,” Cricket Tasmania chairman Andrew Gaggin said.

“Cricket Tasmania clearly does not condone this type of behaviour and addressed the matter directly with Tim Paine.

“However, because of the consensual nature of the actions it was determined no further action was required or appropriate.”