Cummins rejects Khawaja’s claims over sandpaper scandal
Australia Test captain Pat Cummins has strongly rejected former teammate Usman Khawaja’s allegations that the entire Australian team knew about the ball-tampering plot during the 2018 Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Describing the claims as completely wrong and baseless, Cummins said he had no knowledge of the use of sandpaper on the field. His remarks have reignited controversy surrounding one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket.
Cummins denies involvement in ball-tampering plot
Addressing the media in Sydney, Cummins said Khawaja’s claims that he and other players were involved in planning the ball-tampering scheme were completely false. He maintained that he had consistently denied any knowledge of the incident over the past eight years.
Khawaja, in his newly released autobiography, Sabr, alleged that the entire Australian team was aware of the plan and should have accepted collective responsibility. Cummins said there was no masterplan, team meeting or coordinated effort to use illegal methods to alter the ball.
2018 Cape Town scandal resurfaces
The controversy dates back to Australia’s 2018 Test against South Africa at Cape Town, when Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to tamper with the ball. Subsequently, Steve Smith and David Warner received one-year suspensions, while Bancroft was handed a nine-month ban.
Cummins said the punishments were heavy-handed and denied any recollection of similar ball-tampering during the 2017-18 Ashes series against England. He also confirmed meeting Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg, who reviewed the original investigation files and found the accounts consistent.
Warner backs Khawaja’s allegations
Former Australia opener David Warner has supported Khawaja’s version of events, describing the original investigation as flawed. He said the controversy would not be settled until the truth emerged.
Cummins, however, maintained that he supported Khawaja’s right to share his experiences but stressed that players must remain accountable for their statements. The latest exchange has renewed debate over the culture and accountability of Australian cricket during the 2018 scandal.
