Australia captain Pat Cummins denies involvement in ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal
Summary
Australia captain Pat Cummins denied knowing about or helping plan the use of sandpaper to alter the ball during the 2018 Test series in South Africa. Usman Khawaja’s autobiography renewed debate over who knew about the ball-tampering, while former captain David Warner defended Khawaja’s account.Key Facts
- Khawaja said players on the team knew about the plan to rough up the ball with sandpaper.
- Cummins called claims that he and other players planned the ball-tampering “complete and utter nonsense.”
- Cummins said he did not know sandpaper was being used on the field and said he would not discuss the incident again.
- Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon denied in a 2021 statement that they knew about the plan.
- Steve Smith and David Warner received one-year bans from elite cricket, and Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month suspension for their roles in the ball-tampering.
- Former coach Darren Lehmann and former batting coach Graeme Hick denied knowing about the plan.
- Warner said he stood by Khawaja and his account, and criticized Cummins for challenging him.
- Cummins rejected Khawaja’s claim that his skin colour and background had stopped him from becoming Australia captain.
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