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Australia sandpapergate scandal: Mitchell Marsh dodges Usman Khawaja claims as Pat Cummins vows to speak

BBC News •
November 12, 2026 • 08:00 AM
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Mitchell Marsh persistently refuses to speak about Australia's ball-tampering saga at a press conference but captain Pat Cummins vows to "respond properly".

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Marsh played in all four Tests of the 2018 series between South Africa and Australia

Mitchell Marsh persistently refused to speak about Australia's ball-tampering saga at a news 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".

"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 news 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 Uzzy's allegations so I can respond properly."

While Cummins was backed to remain as captain by Cricket Australia's interim chair David Boon on Thursday, he is yet to speak since Khawaja's book was released.

"We absolutely support Pat," former batter Boon told newspaper The Australian.

"He's been an exemplary captain, he's led the team with integrity and very successfully over the period of time that he's been captain, so there's no question of our confidence in him continuing on in that fact."

Since the release of Khawaja's book, much of the discussion has surrounded whether Cummins and the other bowlers - Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, who all remain part of the team - were aware of the plan to use sandpaper on the ball.

In 2021, the quartet released a joint statement which said they "did not know a foreign substance was taken on to the field".

Writing in his book, Khawaja said "it was all of us" and called for the players to take collective responsibility. He said there had been a discussion about using sandpaper to rough up the ball and promote reverse swing during the previous Test.

The topic has overshadowed the build-up to the three-match one-day international series between Australia and England, which begins at 03:30 GMT on Friday.

England captain Harry Brook said he "hasn't seen any" of the debate.

"Obviously I have heard some conversations but we weren't in that dressing room, we have no idea what happened, we are out here now and have a good challenge against Australia," Brook said.

"We are just trying to focus on ourselves."

Marsh added: "There's been a lot of noise around this week and I respect that certain people have told their stories, but I'm not here to share mine today.

"I know that might sound weird, but it's a big week for us and an important time for this one-day group, and my sole focus has been on preparing for tomorrow."

Asked why he did not want to share further details, he said: "My honest answer is because I've moved on, I respect that others probably haven't, but I have. And I hope that's respected."

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Same Story from Other Publications

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The Guardian
18h ago
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The Age
19h ago
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Sydney Morning Herald (SMH)
16h ago
Pat Cummins hits out at Usman Khawaja’s Sandpapergate claims

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8h ago
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ABC News Australia
13h ago
David Warner slams Pat Cummins over Sandpapergate denial

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