Khawaja stands by sandpaper claims as Cummins denies involvement

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Nov, 04:43 · Archive

Usman Khawaja has defended his autobiography's allegations about Australian cricket's sandpaper scandal, while captain Pat Cummins denies them.

Usman Khawaja has defended his recently released autobiography Sabr and its allegations relating to Australian cricket's ball-tampering scandal. Speaking at Sydney Airport, Khawaja told reporters 'what I wrote in my book is what I wrote in my book and it's the truth', reaffirming his position after weeks of controversy surrounding the book's release.

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins held an hour-long press conference on Friday to refute Khawaja's claims. Cummins labelled the allegations 'complete and utter nonsense' and denied that the team knew sandpaper was being used illegally on the field before the scandal broke. 'When he says we all knew, if by that he means we knew sandpaper was going out on the field, he is 100 per cent wrong,' Cummins said, adding that he has 'said that consistently for the last eight years'.

Cummins alleged that Khawaja's claims went beyond merely stating the team knew about the conduct, contending that Khawaja accused him and others of being 'architects of a scheme to ball-tamper with sandpaper'. Khawaja has reduced his media commitments following the initial response to his book's release, but remains adamant about its contents.

How it is being reported

• Usman Khawaja breaks silence on Pat Cummins response to Sandpaper claims in new bookUsman Khawaja has broken his silence after Australian Test captain Pat Cummins’ extraordinary rejection of sandpaper claims in his new book.The West Australian · 15 Nov, 04:20
• Usman Khawaja breaks silence on Pat Cummins response to Sandpaper claims in new bookUsman Khawaja has broken his silence after Australian Test captain Pat Cummins’ extraordinary rejection of sandpaper claims in his new book.Perth Now · 15 Nov, 04:20

In this story: Usman Khawaja · Pat Cummins · Cameron Bancroft · Australian cricket team

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log