Cummins rejects Khawaja's claims about 2018 sandpaper controversy
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 12, 2026, 11:31 PM
Last updated Nov 12, 2026
Australia captain Pat Cummins has dismissed Usman Khawaja's allegations regarding the 2018 Cape Town Test, stating that the notion that the entire XI was aware of sandpaper usage is '100% wrong'. This discussion unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing reflections on the infamous incident, which has continued to affect Australian cricket. Cummins' comments were made public on November 12, 2026, following recent interviews where Khawaja asserted that the players knew about the cheating tactics. The cricket community is awaiting any further responses or developments related to this topic.
- •Pat Cummins responds to Usman Khawaja's recent allegations.
- •Cummins claims Khawaja's view on team awareness is incorrect.
- •Khawaja made his comments during recent interviews.
- •The discussion continues to evoke reactions from the cricket community.
- •Cummins addressed the issue on November 12, 2026.
- 11:31 PMThe Guardian Sport — Australia Test captain Pat Cummins calls Khawaja's sandpapergate claims ‘complete and utter nonsense’
- 10:47 PMESPNcricinfo — Cummins: Khawaja's allegations 'complete and utter nonsense'
"Cummins insists he did not know of ball tampering plot in South Africa ‘No masterplan around using illegal methods,’ Cummins says Pat Cummins has flatly denied Usman Khawaja’s claims that the entire team was implicated in the 2018 sandpaper scandal as “complete and utter nonsense” and “100% wrong” in a defiant appearance at a press conference a week after the allegations came to light. Appearing before dozens of reporters and cameras at Cricket NSW’s headquarters in Sydney, Cummins refuted the allegations aired in his former teammate’s book, Sabr, and said he had no knowledge of the ball tampering plot in South Africa. Continue reading...
"Australia captain says Khawaja's suggestion that the entire 2018 Cape Town XI knowing that sandpaper was being used on the field is 100% wrong
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportNov 12, 2026, 11:31 PMAustralia Test captain Pat Cummins calls Khawaja's sandpapergate claims ‘complete and utter nonsense’
Cummins insists he did not know of ball tampering plot in South Africa ‘No masterplan around using illegal methods,’ Cummins says Pat Cummins has flatly denied Usman Khawaja’s claims that the entire team was implicated in the 2018 sandpaper scandal as “complete and utter nonsense” and “100% wrong” in a defiant appearance at a press conference a week after the allegations came to light. Appearing before dozens of reporters and cameras at Cricket NSW’s headquarters in Sydney, Cummins refuted the allegations aired in his former teammate’s book, Sabr, and said he had no knowledge of the ball tampering plot in South Africa. Continue reading...
- ESPNcricinfoNov 12, 2026, 10:47 PMCummins: Khawaja's allegations 'complete and utter nonsense'
Australia captain says Khawaja's suggestion that the entire 2018 Cape Town XI knowing that sandpaper was being used on the field is 100% wrong
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