Pat Cummins Rejects Usman Khawaja's Sandpapergate Claims

Cummins Denies Knowledge Of Sandpaper

At a press conference on Friday, Cummins dismissed the allegations and claimed he had been abundantly clear he was not aware of the use of sandpaper.

“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," Cummins said.

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

Warner Backs Khawaja's Claims

David Warner launched a fiery defence of Khawaja after captain Cummins dismissed claims by Khawaja that the whole Australian cricket team knew about the ball-tampering plan, known as 'Sandpapergate.’

Warner accused Cummins of throwing Usman Khawaja under the bus and said what former teammate wrote in the autobiography about the 2018 scandal was the truth.

“I still stick by Uzzy and what he's written in that book, because it is the truth, and I really, really support him," Warner said on Fox Cricket.

He said, "I actually feel for him at the moment. I actually feel that today, the captain threw Uzzy under the bus, and I'm very, very disappointed about that.”

"All three of us have paid a big price in this thing. I hadn't spoken about it in eight years, but at the end of the day, we've got to live with these consequences daily. We've been served a life punishment," he added.

Becky Stands By Cummins

Becky, the wife of the Australia captain, has backed her husband on the issue of the renewed Sandpapergate controversy and also shone a light on a heated exchange between the pair outside their Sydney residence.

Becky said, "Once again, I am beyond proud and blown away by this man's strength and leadership.”

Cummins said that he and Becky had not had an argument. The video, taken outside their home in Sydney earlier this week, had been shared on social media with Khawaja in the eye of a social media storm. In the video, the pair were seen animatedly discussing, leading some to suggest they might have had an argument.