Pat Cummins calls press conference after Khawaja's shocking sandpapergate claims

Pat Cummins has called a press conference after Usman Khawaja's autobiography reignited questions over Australia's 2018 ball-tampering scandal. With David Warner backing Khawaja and Mitchell Starc standing by the bowling group's earlier statement, the spotlight is firmly on Cummins.Pat Cummins is yet to make a comment on Khawaja's allegations. Courtesy: APNew Delhi,Nov 12, 2026 07:12 ISTAustralia captain Pat Cummins has called a press conference to address Usman Khawaja's explosive allegations about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. With fresh questions emerging over what the Australian team knew during the infamous South Africa tour, Cummins is set to face the media on Friday morning.The announcement comes amid growing pressure on Australia's current Test captain following Khawaja's claims in his autobiography Sabr. Cummins, who has been rested for the white-ball series against England, announced on X that he would be available to speak to the media at Cricket Central in Sydney."I'm training at Cricket Central tomorrow morning before the Blues play in the Shield match," Cummins wrote."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." Khawaja's claims have challenged the findings of Cricket Australia's 2018 investigation, which held David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft responsible for the Cape Town incident. The former opener alleged that the entire touring party, including the coaching staff, knew about the use of sandpaper and that the practice had started during the previous Test in Port Elizabeth. He also questioned why investigators never interviewed him, despite him sitting next to Bancroft during the Cape Town Test.KHAWAJA'S CLAIMS SPARK FRESH ROWWarner has publicly backed Khawaja, describing his account as "100 per cent accurate" and questioning the investigation as rushed and incomplete. He also defended his former teammate against criticism over speaking out eight years after the incident. Mitchell Starc, however, has stood by the position taken by Australia's frontline bowling group in a joint statement in 2021. He reiterated that they were unaware of sandpaper being taken onto the field and said he first learnt of the incident when footage of Bancroft appeared on the big screen in Cape Town.Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has ruled out reopening the investigation, saying there was "absolutely no benefit" in revisiting the episode.KHWAJA FACES BACKLASH AFTER TV INTERVIEWThe controversy has also followed Khawaja into the media spotlight. During an appearance on ABC's 7.30 programme, broadcaster Sarah Ferguson pressed him on his claims, including whether Cummins and the other bowlers knew about the alleged ball-tampering. Khawaja declined to answer directly and said he did not want to inflame the situation.Following the interview, he reportedly cancelled several book-related media appearances, although his publisher clarified that the book tour was still going ahead with some adjustments.Cummins' press conference on Friday is now likely to bring renewed attention to the 2021 statement and the bowling group's knowledge of the events in South Africa.- Ends