Cummins backs Khawaja book, untroubled by sandpapergate talk
Pat Cummins is not losing sleep over Usman Khawaja's autobiography.
Australia's Test captain says he has no concerns about possible new detail on the 2018 ball-tampering affair, widely known as sandpapergate. Khawaja's book is due out in November, and Cummins has already had a preview of what to expect. BBC Sport
Khawaja rang him a few weeks ago. It was a heads-up, captain to former team-mate, before publication. The two then met to talk through the contents, a meeting also reported by Australian media. Herald Sun
The story goes back to Cape Town in 2018. Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera using sandpaper to rough up the ball, an illegal way to try to make it move more in the air. Steve Smith, David Warner and Bancroft were all banned for their part in the plot. BBC Sport
Khawaja played in all four Tests on that tour of South Africa. Cummins played in that series too. In 2021, Cummins joined Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon in a joint statement denying any prior knowledge of the plan.
Cummins says Khawaja should tell his story in his own words. He has publicly backed his former opener to publish the tell-all account. Fox Sports Australia
That story starts a long way from Cape Town. Khawaja was born in Pakistan and became the first Muslim to play Test cricket for Australia. Cricket.com.au He made his debut in Sydney in the final match of the 2010-11 Ashes, aged 24. He went on to play 88 Tests across a 15-year international career. Cricket.com.au
He retired from international cricket in January, with his farewell Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. That closed the loop. A career that began at the SCG ended at the same ground.
For fans, this means a waiting game until November. No new claims have been published yet. There is only a captain saying he is comfortable, and a retired batter ready to give his version.
