SYDNEY: Australian Test captain Pat Cummins will address the media on Friday to respond to fresh ball-tampering allegations made by former batter Usman Khawaja.
Cummins announced the briefing in a post on social media platform X. He stated that he will meet reporters at 9:30 AM at Cricket Central in Sydney, where he is training ahead of New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield fixture.
Cummins explained that he had taken time to review the "long list and full extent" of Khawaja’s claims so he could offer a proper response. He added that Cricket Australia (CA) would circulate the media details.
The controversy stems from Khawaja’s newly released autobiography, Sabr. In the book, the former opener alleged that the entire Australian touring party knew about the plan to tamper with the ball during the 2018 Test series in South Africa. Khawaja also claimed that the ball was altered during the second Test in Port Elizabeth, rather than only in the third Test at Cape Town.
Only three players, then-captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were suspended by Cricket Australia following the 2018 inquiry. Warner has publicly supported Khawaja’s account. However, former batting coach Graeme Hick dismissed the allegations as "absolutely false," and then-head coach Darren Lehmann also denied having prior knowledge.
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc recently reiterated his 2021 joint statement with Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon. The four bowlers had stated they were unaware that a foreign substance was carried onto the field in Cape Town.
Despite renewed public scrutiny, Cricket Australia chairman David Boon expressed full confidence in Cummins’ leadership. Boon stated that the captain’s position is secure and ruled out reopening the 2018 investigation, echoing earlier remarks by CA Chief Executive Officer Todd Greenberg. Meanwhile, Khawaja has cancelled his remaining book tour media appearances after declining to answer direct questions about Cummins’ knowledge during a recent television interview.
(With inputs from media reports)