13 November 2026 (Navroze Bureau) Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins has strongly rejected former teammate Usman Khawaja’s allegations regarding the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal, describing the claims as “complete and utter nonsense”. Cummins addressed the controversy during an extensive press conference in Sydney on Friday, November 13, 2026, after Khawaja’s recently published autobiography reignited debate surrounding the incident.
The controversy relates to the 2018 Cape Town Test against South Africa, when Australian player Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to alter the condition of the cricket ball. The incident, widely known as Sandpapergate, resulted in major disciplinary action against Steve Smith, David Warner and Bancroft.
Khawaja, in his autobiography titled Sabr, suggested that knowledge of the ball-tampering plan extended beyond the three players who were punished. He indicated that the entire Australian team was aware of what was happening and questioned why responsibility had been limited to a small group of players.
Cummins, however, rejected the allegations and insisted that he had no knowledge of sandpaper being taken onto the field or used to tamper with the ball. The Guardian+2
Cummins Denies Involvement in Sandpaper Scandal
During the press conference, Cummins made it clear that Khawaja’s suggestion that the entire team knew about the incident was incorrect.
He said he had consistently maintained the same position for the past eight years and had no knowledge that sandpaper was being used during the match.
Cummins also strongly rejected the suggestion that he and other senior players were architects of a broader ball-tampering plan.
According to the Australian captain, there was no organised team meeting or master plan involving bowlers and other players to use illegal methods to change the condition of the ball.
He said the allegations were particularly serious because they questioned the integrity and reputations of several Australian cricketers who had been associated with the team.
Cummins also explained that the dressing-room arrangement at Newlands Stadium consisted of several separate areas, including changing rooms, dining spaces, showers and viewing areas. He suggested that players could have had private conversations without everyone necessarily knowing what was being discussed.
His response was aimed at challenging the suggestion that knowledge of the incident was widespread throughout the squad. The Guardian+2
Cummins Expresses Disappointment With Khawaja
Apart from denying the allegations, Cummins expressed disappointment over the claims made by Khawaja in his autobiography.
He said he was genuinely shocked after learning that Khawaja had admitted telling Bancroft to be careful while using sandpaper.
Cummins questioned why Khawaja, if he had concerns about the incident at the time, had not intervened to prevent it from happening.
He also said that Khawaja’s statements had affected the reputations of several players and the image of Australian cricket.
Cummins acknowledged that Khawaja was a friend and said he fully supported his right to share his personal experiences through his autobiography. However, he stressed that people must remain accountable for the statements they make, particularly when those statements involve the lives and reputations of others.
He described the allegations as inconsistent with the Usman Khawaja he had known as a teammate and friend.
Cummins also indicated that he wanted to put the controversy behind him and did not want to continue discussing the eight-year-old incident. The Guardian+2
What Was the 2018 Sandpaper Scandal?
The controversy dates back to Australia’s Test match against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town in March 2018.
During the match, Cameron Bancroft was caught using a piece of sandpaper to roughen one side of the cricket ball. The action was intended to alter the ball’s condition and provide an advantage to Australia’s bowlers.
Following an investigation, Cricket Australia found Steve Smith, David Warner and Bancroft responsible for their involvement in the incident.
Smith and Warner received 12-month suspensions from international and domestic cricket, while Bancroft was handed a nine-month suspension.
Smith was captain at the time, Warner was vice-captain, and Bancroft was the player directly caught using the sandpaper.
The incident caused significant damage to Australia’s reputation and led to changes in the team’s leadership and approach to the game.
The three players subsequently returned to international cricket, but the controversy remained one of the most widely discussed incidents in modern Australian cricket history. Reuters+2
Khawaja’s Book Reopens Debate
Khawaja’s autobiography Sabr has brought renewed attention to the circumstances surrounding the 2018 scandal.
In his account, the former Australian opener questioned whether the original investigation had fully addressed the involvement of other members of the team.
He suggested that responsibility for the incident should not have been limited to the three players who received suspensions.
His comments received support from former Australian teammate David Warner, who publicly backed Khawaja’s account and suggested that the book had brought previously undisclosed details into the public domain.
However, several former and current Australian players have disputed the broader allegations.
The renewed debate has also prompted calls from some quarters for Cricket Australia to reconsider the original investigation. However, the governing body’s leadership has indicated that it does not see a compelling reason to reopen the case. Reuters+2
Cummins Rejects Racism Claims Over Captaincy
During the press conference, Cummins also responded to another controversial claim made by Khawaja concerning Australia’s captaincy selection.
Khawaja had suggested that a player’s skin colour and background could influence opportunities to become Australia’s national captain.
Cummins strongly disagreed with this suggestion and described it as a serious allegation that required supporting evidence.
He said he did not believe the Australian captaincy position was restricted to people of a particular skin colour.
The issue added another dimension to the growing disagreement between the two former teammates, with Cummins making it clear that he disagreed with several aspects of Khawaja’s account.
Cricket Australia Unlikely to Reopen Investigation
Despite renewed discussion surrounding Sandpapergate, Cricket Australia has indicated that it does not intend to reopen its original investigation.
The governing body’s earlier inquiry held Smith, Warner and Bancroft responsible for the incident and did not find that the wider team was involved in the ball-tampering plan.
The latest allegations have once again divided opinion among former players, cricket supporters and commentators.
While Khawaja’s autobiography has raised questions about accountability and the original investigation, Cummins has maintained that he had no knowledge of the sandpaper operation.