Australia captain Pat Cummins has rejected Usman Khawaja's claim that the entire 2018 team knew about the sandpaper plan in South Africa, calling it "complete and utter nonsense". He spoke in Sydney for more than an hour and said he had no knowledge of the plot. David Warner later disputed his stance.
Key Facts at a Glance
The dispute follows the release of Khawaja's memoir, Sabr, on Tuesday. Cummins addressed it publicly on Friday, November 13, at Cricket New South Wales' headquarters.
| Detail | Information |
|---|
| Original incident | 2018 ball-tampering scandal, South Africa tour |
| Players originally sanctioned | 3 (Steve Smith, David Warner, Cameron Bancroft) |
| Cummins' press conference | More than 1 hour, Sydney |
| Time since the incident | 8 years |
| Cummins' verdict on Khawaja's claim | "100% wrong" |
What Khawaja Alleged in Sabr
Khawaja alleges that more than the three banned players knew of the plan. He also claims sandpaper was used on the ball during the preceding Test.
He has called on "all" of the team to take collective responsibility. He also revealed that he told Bancroft to be careful when using sandpaper.
Claims Versus Cummins' Response
| Claim in Sabr | Cummins' Response |
|---|
| The whole team knew sandpaper was going on the field | "100% wrong"; he did not know and saw nothing on the ball |
| Cummins and others were architects of a scheme | "Complete and utter nonsense" |
| Sandpaper was used in the preceding Test | Some of Khawaja's account is "probably true", but he is vague on "a few big leaps" |
| Khawaja was overlooked as captain because of race | "I couldn't disagree with that statement any more" |
Cummins' Response in Detail
Cummins said Khawaja is a friend but had been "casual" with the lives and reputations of others in his book. He said he had been "grappling" with whether their relationship was irrevocably harmed.
He has maintained for eight years that he did not know sandpaper was being used. He said there was "no masterplan around using illegal methods".
He accepted that there may have been conversations with Bancroft about taking sandpaper out. He argued that this does not mean everyone in the dressing room knew.
On the Sanctions
Cummins called the original sanctions "way too heavy-handed". He distinguished that view from the idea that everyone else knew, which he did not support.
He conceded the 2018 team had a "win-at-all-cost mentality" and an "ugly underbelly". He said he disliked how the team spoke to umpires and the opposition, and that he has worked to change this as captain.
On Leadership and Race
Khawaja wrote that he was "flabbergasted" when Tim Paine was named interim captain. He alleged Cricket Australia was not ready for a "brown Australian cricket captain".
Cummins called this the most serious claim he had read that week. He rejected the suggestion that the captaincy requires a certain skin colour.
Warner's Reaction
Warner, speaking as a Kayo commentator, said he stood by Khawaja's account. He said the captain had "thrown Uzzy under the bus" and that he was "very disappointed".
He said he is still labelled the architect and the fixer, and that it hurts. He added that it will be difficult to move on until "the truth is accepted".
Analysis: Where the Accounts Differ
The disagreement centres on the scope of knowledge within the team, not on the incident itself. Cummins accepts some of Khawaja's account but contests its extension to the wider group.
| Issue | Cummins | Khawaja and Warner |
|---|
| Who knew | Not everyone; he did not | More than the three banned players |
| Responsibility | Rests with those involved | Collective, "all" of the team |
| Legal action | Will not pursue; "you've got to move on" | Not stated |
Cummins said he had received advice that some allegations were "probably defamatory" but would not act on it. Khawaja has been contacted for comment.
Eight years on, the two sides remain apart on a basic question of who knew what. Neither account has been independently verified in the reporting so far.