Pat Cummins to Address Usman Khawaja's Revelations on Ball-Tampering Scandal

Cummins Prepares to Respond to Khawaja's Claims

On November 12, Australian captain Pat Cummins announced that he would be addressing the media regarding Usman Khawaja's recent explosive allegations concerning the 2018 ball-tampering incident during the South African tour. Cummins mentioned that he needed time to fully grasp the extensive nature of Khawaja's claims to provide an informed response.

Khawaja's autobiography, titled 'Sabr', has reignited discussions about the infamous ball-tampering scandal, which led to significant penalties for then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, both receiving one-year bans from competitive cricket, while Cameron Bancroft faced sanctions as well.

In his book, Khawaja revealed that the entire team was aware of the sandpaper usage, suggesting collective responsibility rather than solely blaming Smith, Warner, and Bancroft. He also disclosed that the Australians had manipulated the ball's condition during the second Test of the 2018 series in Gqeberha before being caught in Cape Town during the third Test. Additionally, he mentioned that the team altered the ball's condition during the 2017/18 Ashes series by lifting the quarter-seam.

Cummins took to X to inform that he would be training ahead of day three of New South Wales' Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia and expressed his willingness to discuss Khawaja's recent statements with the media. He stated, "I’m training at Cricket Central tomorrow morning before the Blues play in the Shield match. Happy to speak with any and all media about the events of this week at 9.30 am. I’ve taken some time to try and better understand the long list and full extent of Uzzy’s allegations so I can respond properly. Afterwards please stay and support the Blues! I’ll ask CA to send out details."

I’m training at Cricket Central tomorrow morning before the Blues play in the Shield match. Happy to speak with any and all media about the events of this week at 9.30 am. I’ve taken some time to try and better understand the long list and full extent of Uzzy’s allegations so I can respond properly. Afterwards please stay and support the Blues! I’ll ask CA to send out details

— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) November 11, 2026

Cummins was part of the Australian team that lost the series 3-1, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 22 wickets, second only to Kagiso Rabada, who took 23 wickets, boasting an average of 21.45, including two four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul with best figures of 5/83.

David Warner, a former Australian opener and Khawaja's batting partner, publicly supported Khawaja, asserting that his account was "100 percent accurate." In a video posted on his Instagram, Warner emphasized the importance of focusing on the issues raised rather than questioning the timing of their resurfacing after eight years.

"It has been eight years since I have spoken on this topic. And Uzzie (Usman Khawaja), I throw my full support behind you. I thank you for what you have done. It’s 100% accurate what you’ve said. Now everyone knows the truth. It is out there. People wanted to know it; you have come out and said it, and now people are saying, ‘Why eight years on?’ Talking about selling a book—this is Usman’s story. This is what Usman believes," Warner stated.

Warner also criticized the investigation process that followed the 2018 scandal, noting that Khawaja was not interviewed despite being present with Bancroft. He remarked, "Now, this whole interview process was rushed and botched. Uzzie was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft; Uzzie was not interviewed. How is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me. We are not here to point fingers, and we’re not opening our wounds. It’s about accountability, transparency, ensuring that the truth is properly examined. And perhaps it is time people stop scrutinizing the person asking for accountability and start asking those responsible for the investigation to provide it," Warner added.

The former opener also shared the personal toll the controversy took on his family, revealing that he had to explain the incident to his daughters, who were curious about the scandal. He said, "Now, there were a lot of statements and inaccuracies over the last eight years that were out in the media by people, and there were a lot of people who stayed silent. The last couple of days, I have had to be—I have been talking to my daughters, and that’s why it has taken me a couple of days to get this out, because I have had to tell them exactly what had happened. Especially my 12-year-old, Ivy, wanting to know why we were holding her, why there were so many cameras, why we were crying on TV."

Warner described the conversation with his daughters as challenging and emphasized the importance of honesty, stating, "That was a hard thing to do. But one thing I did say is, ‘Girls, tell the truth, because lies will eventually get out.’ It was a very tough time. This is for everyone in Australia. It’s been—it has been the question that everyone’s been asking. Uzzie, you have said it how it is. It’s 100% accurate," he concluded.

Warner acknowledged the difficult times faced by his family and those of Smith and Bancroft, reiterating his support for Khawaja's statements.

"It has been a tough time for my family, Steve and Cameron no doubt, but this is what needed to come out. I fully support that, Uzzie," he added.

Mitchell Starc also commented on Khawaja's revelations during a media event, stating, "I have not really paid much attention, to be fair. Obviously, there are differing opinions from eight years ago. We were heavily drilled through the process at the time and since—and I guess I would not speak on behalf of the bowlers—but where I stand, my opinion has not changed. My recollection has not changed from what we said in 2021 (the year when the Aussie bowling quartet of Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, and Lyon issued a joint statement denying knowledge of the use of a foreign object on the ball)."

Regarding the ball-tampering incident in the Gqeberha Test, Starc remarked, "Yeah, that is the first I was aware of any of that taking place in PE (Port Elizabeth). I will leave that for said authors to explain. As our statement said, we were not aware of things being taken on the field; that is where I will leave it."