Australia Test Captain Pat Cummins Denies Usman Khawaja's 2018 Sandpaper Claims

OPA WIRE, Nov 12 (OPA) — Australian Test captain Pat Cummins on Friday addressed explosive new claims made by retired opening batsman Usman Khawaja in his memoir, Sabr. Khawaja asserted in the book that the wider Australian team and coaching staff were fully aware of the plan to use sandpaper on the match ball during the 2018 Test series against South Africa. Cummins rejected the assertions, stating that Khawaja was 100 per cent wrong and that he had no prior knowledge of sandpaper being brought onto the field in Cape Town.

Speaking to reporters, Cummins admitted the team during that era operated under an ugly underbelly and a win-at-all-costs mentality. He acknowledged that the squad displayed an abrasive and arrogant style of play that did not sit rightly with him, noting the trauma the scandal inflicted on those involved. The fast bowler expressed frustration that Khawaja had dealt so casually with people's lives and reputations.

The controversy stems from the March 2018 Third Test in Cape Town, where opener Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera using sandpaper to scuff the match ball. Bancroft subsequently received a nine-month suspension, while then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were handed one-year bans. In his book, Khawaja further claimed that sandpaper was used during the second Test in Gqeberha prior to the Newlands match.

Cummins and fellow bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon previously released a joint statement in 2021 denying any prior knowledge of ball tampering. Starc reiterated his stance this week, stating his recollection had not changed. Meanwhile, David Warner voiced support for Khawaja via social media, declaring the book's claims to be 100 per cent accurate as fallout from the scandal continues to divide the squad.