Pat Cummins Rejects Usman Khawaja Sandpapergate Claims as Utter Nonsense
Australia captain Pat Cummins described allegations from former teammate Usman Khawaja that the bowling group knew about a 2018 ball-tampering plot as utter nonsense during a press conference, it was reported.
The controversy emerged following the publication of Khawaja’s autobiography, Sabr, which arrived in bookstores ahead of Australia’s home-season opening one-day international against England in Perth. Khawaja wrote that the entire team knew of the plan to use sandpaper to alter the ball during a Test match against South Africa in Cape Town.
Cummins rejected that characterization when speaking to reporters in Sydney. “When he says we all knew, if by that he means that we knew sandpaper was going out in the field, he’s 100% wrong,” Cummins told a packed news conference, Yahoo Sports reported. “I’ve said that consistently for the last eight years. I did not know that was happening.”
“That’s complete and utter nonsense,” Cummins added.
Conflicting Claims Regarding the Sandpapergate Scandal
The 2018 Sandpapergate scandal resulted in 12-month bans for then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, while Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month suspension after television cameras caught him using sandpaper on the ball. In 2021, Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon released a joint statement declaring they did not know a foreign substance was brought onto the field.
In his memoir, Khawaja claimed he sat next to Bancroft in the locker room and urged caution upon hearing about the plan. Cummins expressed surprise at that specific detail. “I was genuinely shocked this week when I found out that Usman admitted that he told Cam to be careful when using sandpaper,” Cummins said.
David Warner publicly supported Khawaja on social media, writing that the original Cricket Australia investigation was rushed and botched. Meanwhile, interim chair David Boon affirmed support for the current captain, stating to The Australian that Cummins has led the team with integrity.
Team Focus Ahead of England Series
As the three-match one-day international series against England approaches, current players have attempted to redirect attention toward the field. England captain Harry Brook said that his squad was focused entirely on the upcoming challenge rather than past events.
Teammate Mitchell Marsh also declined to engage with the renewed debate. “There’s been a lot of noise around this week and I respect that certain people have told their stories, but I’m not here to share mine today,” Marsh said, according to BBC.
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