Pat Cummins, Australia's cricket captain, denied on Friday that he knew about or participated in a plan to use sandpaper to tamper with the ball during a 2018 Test against South Africa. The denial came after former batsman Usman Khawaja claimed in his newly published autobiography that the entire team knew about the scheme.
Cummins told reporters in Sydney that Khawaja's assertion that all players were aware was "100 percent wrong" and that allegations he was an "architect" of a ball-tampering scheme were "complete and utter nonsense." He stated there was no master plan, team meeting or instruction from bowlers about using illegal methods.
The scandal centered on the third Test in Cape Town, though Khawaja also alleged the tactic was used in the second Test at Port Elizabeth. In 2018, then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were banned from elite cricket for a year. Opening batter Cameron Bancroft, who brought sandpaper onto the field, received a nine-month suspension. All four bowlers, Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, denied knowledge of the plan in a 2021 statement.
Cummins also rejected Khawaja's claim that his Pakistani background prevented him from becoming Australia captain, calling that allegation "the most serious" issue raised by the autobiography.
Former vice-captain Warner, speaking in television commentary, said he stood by Khawaja's account and accused Cummins of throwing Khawaja "under the bus." Warner revealed his wife Candice lost a baby in the aftermath of what became known as "Sandpapergate."
Cricket Australia's head ruled out opening a new investigation into the 2018 incident. Cummins said he would not pursue legal action against Khawaja despite being advised some statements were defamatory.