Australia captain Pat Cummins has strongly denied allegations that he was involved in a plan to use sandpaper during a 2018 Test against South Africa.
He called the claims made by former teammate Usman Khawaja in his newly published autobiography complete and utter nonsense, according to Yahoo Sports.
Khawaja claimed last weekend that everyone in the team knew about the ball-tampering plan, sparking calls for a fresh investigation into the infamous incident.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Cummins rejected the allegations and stated he consistently denied knowing about the sandpaper.
Cummins told reporters that if Khawaja meant everyone knew sandpaper was going onto the field, he was completely wrong, per 7Cricket.
He explicitly stated, “When he says we all knew, if by that he means that we knew sandpaper was going out in the field, he’s 100% wrong.”
Cummins added that Khawaja went further by accusing him and others of being architects of a scheme to tamper with the ball using sandpaper.
He dismissed those specific accusations as complete and utter nonsense, reported 7Cricket.
The original ball-tampering incident took place during a Test match against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town in March 2018.
Steve Smith, then captain, and deputy David Warner were subsequently banned from elite cricket for one year by Cricket Australia for bringing the game into disrepute, according to SEN Cricket.
Opening batter Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper on the ball and received a nine-month suspension from the sport.
All three players accepted their punishments and later returned to participate in Test cricket.
Cummins expressed genuine shock at finding out Khawaja admitted telling Bancroft to be careful when using the sandpaper.
He noted that friends should not be casual with each other’s lives and reputations, reported Yahoo Sports.
Despite receiving advice that some statements were defamatory, Cummins confirmed he will not take legal action against Khawaja.