Pat Cummins Calls Usman Khawaja’s Sandpapergate Claims ‘Utter Nonsense’, Denies Team Involvement in Ball-Tampering Plot

Australia captain Pat Cummins has strongly rejected former team-mate Usman Khawaja’s claims that the entire team knew about the 2018 ball-tampering plot, describing the allegations as “complete and utter nonsense”.

Cummins addressed the controversy during an extraordinary press conference in Sydney on Friday, November 13, following revelations in Khawaja’s recently released autobiography, Sabr.

The controversy relates to the 2018 Test match against South Africa in Cape Town, where Australia batter Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera using sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball.

Cummins Rejects Khawaja’s Allegations

Cummins, who was part of Australia's bowling attack during the controversial Test, firmly denied knowing that sandpaper was being taken onto the field.

“When he says we all knew, if by that he means that we knew sandpaper was going out in the field, he’s 100% wrong. I’ve said that consistently for the last eight years. I did not know that was happening,” Cummins told reporters.

He also rejected Khawaja’s suggestion that he and other players were involved in planning the ball-tampering operation.

“He says that I and others were architects of a scheme to ball tamper with sandpaper. That’s complete and utter nonsense,” he added.

Cummins said he was prepared to answer questions for as long as necessary, as he wanted to address the allegations rather than allow the controversy to resurface repeatedly.

What Did Khawaja Reveal in His Autobiography?

In his autobiography, Sabr, Khawaja claimed that the entire Australian team was aware of the plan to tamper with the ball during the 2018 South Africa tour.

He recalled sitting beside Bancroft in the dressing room when he heard about the plan and said he had warned the batter to be careful.

Khawaja said he shared his account to support Steve Smith, David Warner and Bancroft, whom he believes were made scapegoats for an incident involving wider team responsibility.

His claims have received support from former Australia vice-captain David Warner, who described Khawaja’s version of events as accurate and criticised the Cricket Australia investigation.

Three Players Received Lengthy Bans

The 2018 Sandpapergate scandal erupted during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town after television cameras captured Bancroft using sandpaper on the ball.

Following an investigation, Cricket Australia handed 12-month suspensions to then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner. Bancroft received a nine-month ban.

The incident triggered widespread criticism of Australian cricket and led to significant changes in the team's leadership and management.

Cummins, who became Australia's Test captain in 2021, said he was genuinely shocked to learn that Khawaja had admitted warning Bancroft about using sandpaper.

He also questioned why Khawaja, whom he considers a friend, did not intervene to stop the plan.

Cricket Australia Rules Out Reopening Investigation

The renewed allegations have brought the eight-year-old controversy back into the spotlight, despite changes in Australia's team leadership and coaching staff.

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has ruled out reopening the investigation into the incident.

Cummins maintained that he had consistently denied knowledge of the plan and criticised Khawaja for making claims that could damage the reputations of his former team-mates.

The dispute has also exposed differing accounts among members of the 2018 Australian squad, with Khawaja and Warner supporting a wider knowledge of the incident while Cummins continues to reject any involvement.