What is confirmed: Pat Cummins rejected claims attributed to Usman Khawaja's autobiography during a press conference in Sydney on November 13, 2026. Khawaja's account and Cummins' response are presented separately because the wider question of what players knew has not been resolved by a new official investigation.
Australia captain Pat Cummins has strongly rejected claims made by former Australian opener Usman Khawaja in his new autobiography, Sabr, about the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Speaking to reporters in Sydney on November 13, Cummins described Khawaja's suggestion that the entire Australian team knew about the sandpaper incident as “complete and utter nonsense.”
The disagreement has reopened one of the most controversial chapters in Australian cricket. Khawaja's book offers a new account of what happened during the 2018 Test series against South Africa, while Cummins insists he had no knowledge that sandpaper was being used to alter the cricket ball.
The exchange has raised fresh questions about what players knew, who was involved and whether the full story of Sandpapergate was ever publicly revealed.
What Did Pat Cummins Say About Usman Khawaja's Claims?
During his press conference, Cummins directly addressed the statements in Khawaja's autobiography. He rejected the suggestion that all Australian players knew sandpaper was being taken onto the field.
“When he says we all knew, if by that he means we knew sandpaper was going out on the field, he's 100% wrong,” Cummins said, according to The Guardian's account of the press conference. He reiterated that he had consistently maintained he did not know what was happening.
Cummins also denied Khawaja's suggestion that he and other players were architects of a plan to tamper with the ball. He described that allegation as “complete and utter nonsense” and said there was no master plan around using illegal methods.
Why Did Pat Cummins Criticize Usman Khawaja?
Cummins said he was genuinely shocked to learn that Khawaja had admitted warning Cameron Bancroft to be careful when using sandpaper. He questioned why Khawaja did not stop the activity if he knew what was happening.
He also criticized the way the book discussed other players and their reputations. Cummins said Khawaja had been casual with the lives and reputations of people involved in Australian cricket.
Despite the disagreement, Cummins acknowledged Khawaja's right to tell his own story. He said he supported the former opener's decision to share his experiences but stressed that people should be accountable for what they say.
What Did Usman Khawaja Reveal in His Book Sabr?
Usman Khawaja's autobiography, Sabr, has brought renewed attention to the 2018 Sandpapergate controversy. According to ABC reporting, the book describes events surrounding Australia's tour of South Africa and suggests that knowledge of the ball-tampering activity extended beyond the three players who were officially punished.
Those players were Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. Khawaja wrote about what he says he knew during the tour and described the atmosphere inside the dressing room. He also recalled an incident involving Bancroft and said he had warned him to be careful.
One of the most significant parts of Khawaja's account concerns collective responsibility. He has argued that the team should accept responsibility rather than leaving the consequences to a small number of players. However, he has avoided directly accusing individual teammates of knowing about the plan when asked to name them.
What Happened During the 2018 Sandpaper Scandal?
The original Sandpapergate controversy took place during Australia's third Test against South Africa in Cape Town in March 2018. Television cameras captured Cameron Bancroft using a piece of sandpaper to alter the condition of the cricket ball.
Cricket Australia's investigation resulted in significant suspensions:
- Steve Smith: 12-month suspension from international and domestic cricket.
- David Warner: 12-month suspension.
- Cameron Bancroft: Nine-month suspension.
Smith and Warner also lost their leadership positions. The incident damaged Australia's reputation and triggered major discussions about sporting culture, leadership and the responsibility of professional athletes.
Did Pat Cummins Know About the Sandpaper Plan?
This is the central disagreement between Cummins and Khawaja. Cummins has firmly denied knowing that sandpaper was being used to alter the ball during the Test.
Khawaja's book describes what he says was broader awareness of ball-tampering activity within the Australian team environment. There is an important distinction between knowing about general efforts to achieve reverse swing and knowing that an illegal foreign object was being used to alter the ball.
At present, the two accounts differ, and the disagreement has not been resolved through a new official investigation. Khawaja's account is not proof that every player knew, while Cummins' denial is not a new finding about what happened inside the dressing room.
Did Cricket Australia Reopen the Sandpapergate Investigation?
The renewed controversy has raised questions about whether Cricket Australia should investigate the incident again. However, the governing body's chief executive, Todd Greenberg, has indicated that there is no compelling reason to reopen the investigation.
Khawaja has said he is sharing his version of events rather than calling for another investigation. Cummins has referred to the original investigation, arguing that there was a process for dealing with the incident.
For now, the disagreement is primarily playing out through public statements, interviews and Khawaja's autobiography.
Will Pat Cummins Take Legal Action Against Usman Khawaja?
During the November 13 press conference, Cummins said he had received advice that some statements could potentially be defamatory. He also said he would not pursue legal action against Khawaja.
Cummins indicated that he wanted to move forward rather than continue revisiting an incident that happened more than eight years ago. His decision means that, despite his strong disagreement with the book's claims, he does not intend to take the dispute into court.
Why Has the Sandpaper Scandal Returned to the Headlines?
The publication of Sabr has reopened discussions about the 2018 controversy because Khawaja's account raises questions about how much the wider Australian team knew.
For years, public attention focused primarily on Smith, Warner and Bancroft because they received formal suspensions. Khawaja's account introduces another perspective by describing what he says was known and discussed within the team.
Cummins' response has now created a public disagreement between two former teammates and friends. The issue is no longer only about the original ball-tampering incident; it is also about how players remember the events, who should accept responsibility and whether the official account told the complete story.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Pat Cummins say about Usman Khawaja's book Sabr?
Cummins rejected Khawaja's claims about widespread team knowledge of the sandpaper incident, describing the suggestion that everyone knew as “complete and utter nonsense.”
What did Usman Khawaja reveal in Sabr?
Khawaja described his knowledge of the 2018 ball-tampering activity and argued that responsibility should not be limited to the three players who received suspensions. Those are his claims and remain disputed.
Did Pat Cummins know about Sandpapergate?
Cummins has repeatedly denied knowing that sandpaper was being used to alter the ball during the 2018 Test against South Africa.
Who was punished in the 2018 Sandpaper scandal?
Steve Smith and David Warner received 12-month suspensions, while Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.
Did Pat Cummins threaten to sue Usman Khawaja?
Cummins said he had received advice that some statements could be defamatory but confirmed he would not pursue legal action.
When did Pat Cummins respond to Khawaja?
Pat Cummins addressed the controversy during a press conference in Sydney on November 13, 2026.
Final Thoughts
The disagreement between Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja has brought the 2018 Sandpapergate controversy back into the spotlight.
Khawaja's autobiography, Sabr, presents his account of what happened inside the Australian team, while Cummins has strongly rejected suggestions that he knew about or helped organize the use of sandpaper.
With Cricket Australia indicating that it does not intend to reopen the investigation, the debate is likely to remain focused on the different accounts provided by former teammates. Eight years after the original incident, Australian cricket is still dealing with questions about what really happened in Cape Town.