Australia captain
Cummins categorically denied the assertion, describing the claims as 100% wrong and complete nonsense. The skipper, who has maintained his innocence regarding the incident for eight years, expressed his frustration at the suggestion that he and other teammates were architects of a scheme to alter the condition of the ball illegally. He emphasised that he had no prior knowledge of the sandpaper being taken onto the field.
Addressing the 2018 investigation and team culture
Reflecting on the atmosphere within the squad at the time, Cummins acknowledged that the team operated under a win-at-all-costs mentality and suffered from internal divisions. However, he rejected the notion of a pre-meditated master plan to cheat. He clarified that there were no team meetings or collective agreements to employ illegal methods, describing the events as a departure from the standard, legal techniques used by bowlers to achieve reverse swing.
Regarding the official investigation conducted by
Friendship, accountability and future focus
The Australian captain expressed deep concern over the impact of the allegations on the reputations of those involved, noting that the discourse surrounding the event has been traumatic for the players and their families. While he acknowledged his long-standing friendship with Khawaja, he criticised the decision to revisit the matter in such a public and casual manner, labelling it irresponsible.
Cummins confirmed that he has spoken with Khawaja since the book’s release but declined to disclose the details of their conversation. Despite receiving advice that some of the claims could be considered defamatory, the captain ruled out legal action, stating that it is time to move on from the eight-year-old incident. He also reiterated his belief that the original bans handed to Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were excessively harsh. Looking ahead, Cummins confirmed that his professional relationship with vice-captain Steve Smith remains strong and that the pair are fully aligned as they prepare for the upcoming season.
