In his new book, Khawaja wrote that the entire team discussed using sandpaper during an earlier match, urging collective accountability for the scandal. Interim captain Mitchell Marsh refused to address the allegations, preferring to focus entirely on the upcoming 50-over opener against England. Meanwhile, Cricket Australia interim chair David Boon confirmed the board maintains complete confidence in Pat Cummins' integrity and leadership as Cummins prepares his formal response.
Key points
Cricket Australia continues to firmly back Pat Cummins to serve as the national team's ca…: Cricket Australia continues to firmly back Pat Cummins to serve as the national team's captain.
The 2018 ball-tampering controversy has resurfaced as an unwanted distraction immediately…: The 2018 ball-tampering controversy has resurfaced as an unwanted distraction immediately ahead of the one-day international series against England.
England captain Harry Brook dismissed the controversy, asserting that his squad is focuse…: England captain Harry Brook dismissed the controversy, asserting that his squad is focused purely on the upcoming matches.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
Mitchell Marsh persistently refused to speak about Australia's ball-tampering saga at a press conference on Thursday but captain Pat Cummins said he will "respond properly" later.
All-rounder Marsh, 35, was Australia's bowler when the scandal first came to light in the 2018 Cape Town Test and is standing in for Cummins as 50-over captain for the series against England, which starts on Friday.
But, pressed for his view on 'sandpapergate' after it was brought back into the spotlight by Usman Khawaja's autobiography, he repeatedly said "I'm not here to go back on my recollections of South Africa" in a pre-match press conference in Perth.
"This is my choice not to go back there," he said. "Who knows maybe I will write a book one day."
It came after Cummins and Cricket Australia announced an impromptu press conference for Friday morning (22:30 Thursday GMT).
"Happy to speak with any and all media about the events of this week," Cummins said on social media.
"I've taken some time to try and better understand the long list and full extent of…
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Team management aims to utilize the fast bowler in Wellington net sessions to help red-ball batters adapt to New Zealand's tall pace attack, despite him not being in the official squad. The potential move coincides with a split in the touring party following the Hamilton fixture. A final verdict on his departure will be determined immediately after the Tauranga match.