Pat Cummins calls Khawaja's autobiography claims nonsense, says no lawsuit

Khawaja's autobiography sparks calls for new investigation

Usman Khawaja’s autobiography, published this week, alleges every player in the Australian team knew about the sandpaper plan.

The book has sparked calls for a fresh investigation into the scandal.

Cummins refutes specific claims of team awareness and planning

Cummins denied any master plan for illegal ball-tampering in 2018, stating there was no team meeting, no coordinated scheme and no grand plan.

He called Khawaja’s claim that he told Cameron Bancroft to be careful with sandpaper false and complete and utter nonsense.

Cummins said he was genuinely shocked to learn of that specific allegation, noting that the version of Khawaja described in the book is not the person he knows.

Khawaja also alleged he pushed for the team to take collective ownership of the incident and that two players refused.

Cummins said he does not remember any conversation or meeting about collective responsibility and cannot identify the two players.

He has spoken to several other people who also do not recall any team meeting where anyone suggested collective ownership, he said.

Cummins also stated he was surprised to learn of alleged sandpaper use on the boundary edge before a session in Port Elizabeth, adding that the information was new to him.

Captain rules out legal action over defamatory statements

Cummins addressed questions during a press conference regarding whether he intends to take legal action against Khawaja. He said he received advice that some statements in the book could be defamatory.

Despite this advice, Cummins will not pursue legal action. He noted that it is time to move on as eight years have passed and the team needs to draw a line.

Cummins said he supports the right of Khawaja to tell his story. He added that accountability for those statements is required.

Personal reactions and past ball-tampering memories

Cummins addressed a viral video of his wife, Becky, on Friday. She explained she was frustrated and unhappy with Khawaja during the incident.

Glenn McGrath has also publicly commented on the truth of the 2018 scandal following the new claims.

Cummins recalled witnessing one instance of ball-tampering involving a senior New South Wales teammate during his early career.

Umpires intervened during that specific incident to call out the player and stop the action.

Cummins addresses allegations during 68-minute press conference

He used the appearance to respond to the allegations in the book.

The captain said he has consistently stated for the last eight years that he did not know sandpaper was used on the field.