Sports · Cricket · 2 days ago
Cummins says Khawaja’s book will not reopen 2018 ball-tampering scandal
Australia captain Pat Cummins says he is not worried that Usman Khawaja’s upcoming autobiography will revive the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Khawaja and Cummins were both part of the Australia team at the Cape Town Test in South Africa where Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper on the ball.
Cricket Australia investigated the incident, and Steve Smith, David Warner and Bancroft received bans.
The investigation found no other player knew about the plan, and Australia’s bowlers have also denied knowing that a foreign substance would be taken onto the field.
Khawaja reportedly argued at the time that the team should share responsibility, but Cummins says the matter was investigated and dealt with years ago.
He said Khawaja had told him he was writing a book and that he was free to tell his story.
The autobiography is due next month, after Australia’s Test tour of South Africa, but how much it will say about the scandal is not yet known.
Pat Cummins says he is not concerned that Usman Khawaja’s upcoming autobiography may revisit Australia’s 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Cummins said Khawaja had told him he was writing a book but had not discussed its contents in detail.
Cummins said the scandal had been investigated and dealt with at the time, and that the team had moved on.
Khawaja’s book, titled ‘Sabr’, is expected to be released on November 10, after Australia’s Test tour of South Africa.
The comments came before Australia’s first Test against South Africa in Durban.
- Who
- Australia captain Pat Cummins and former Australian batter Usman Khawaja.
- What
- Cummins said he was unfazed by the prospect that Khawaja’s autobiography may discuss the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
- When
- Cummins commented before the first Test against South Africa on October 9, 2026. Khawaja’s book is expected on November 10.
- Where
- Durban, South Africa, ahead of the Australia-South Africa Test series.
- Why
- Khawaja told Cummins he was writing a book, prompting questions about whether it might revisit the scandal.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No worries, you can tell your story. That's fine
It was dealt with then, all I can say is as a group we’ve moved on.
You would have to ask him
Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera applying sandpaper to the ball during the Cape Town Test.
Australia’s bowlers involved in the match publicly called for “rumour mongering” to end, according to Hindustan Times.
Khawaja called Cummins to tell him he was releasing a book.
Cummins discussed the book ahead of Australia’s first Test against South Africa in Durban.
Khawaja’s autobiography ‘Sabr’ is expected to be released.
- Book title
- ‘Sabr’
- Expected release
- November 10, 2026
- First Test venue
- Durban, South Africa
- Scandal match
- Cape Town, March 2018
- Players banned
- Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft
Sources
'No Worries. Tell Your Story': Pat Cummins Not Worried Over Usman Khawaja's Autobiography
Pat Cummins not sweating over Usman Khawaja's potential revelations about Sandpaper Gate in autobiography: ‘You can tell your story’
Pat Cummins unfazed by prospect of Khawaja book raising sandpaper scandal: ‘Tell your story’
Khawaja's 'Sandpapergate' book does not worry Cummins
Cummins unfazed by potential revelations from Khawaja's autobiography
Cummins not worried about potential Khawaja revelations
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