Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Cummins Says Khawaja Can Tell His Sandpapergate Story
Australia is back in South Africa to play Test cricket.
The team has not played a Test series there since the ball-tampering scandal known as Sandpapergate in 2018.
Before the first match in Durban, captain Pat Cummins spoke about the scandal.
He said Usman Khawaja had told him he was writing a book.
Cummins said Khawaja had not explained many details.
He said Khawaja was free to tell his own story.
Cummins also said the Australian team had moved on.
He said his focus is on leading the team.
Australia is playing a Test series in South Africa for the first time since Sandpapergate in 2018.
The series is scheduled to begin in Durban on Friday, October 9.
Pat Cummins said Usman Khawaja told him he was releasing a book.
Cummins said Khawaja did not share much detail and could tell his own story.
Asked about the scandal's present impact, Cummins said the team had moved on.
- Who
- Australian captain Pat Cummins and former Australia opener Usman Khawaja.
- What
- Cummins said Khawaja had briefed him about his forthcoming book and said the team had moved on from Sandpapergate.
- When
- The press conference took place on the eve of the series, scheduled to start Friday, October 9; Khawaja's book is due November 10. The article does not specify the year for these dates.
- Where
- Durban, South Africa.
- Why
- Cummins was asked about Khawaja's book and the continuing relevance of Sandpapergate to the team.
- Series
- Australia versus South Africa Test series
- Opening match
- Scheduled for Friday, October 9, in Durban
- Last Australian Test series in South Africa
- The article says this is the first since the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal
- Book
- Usman Khawaja's autobiography, Sabr
- Book release
- November 10, after the Test series concludes
- Cummins' response
- He said Khawaja could tell his story and that the team had moved on