Cummins Backs Khawaja’s Sandpaper Book as Memoir Looms October 9

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has backed Usman Khawaja’s forthcoming autobiography despite potential revelations about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Khawaja, who was part of that Cape Town Test squad, informed Cummins and Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg of his book’s contents before the team left for South Africa. The memoir, titled Sabr, releases in early November after Australia’s first Test tour of South Africa since the scandal rocked the sport.

What Khawaja told Cummins about the book

Khawaja called Cummins “a few weeks ago” to give him a heads-up about the autobiography, which he has written without a ghost writer. Cummins said Khawaja did not go into much detail but made clear the book was happening. “Tell your story, that’s fine,” Cummins responded, signalling he had no objection to Khawaja publishing his account of events.

The 2018 scandal and ongoing questions

In March 2018, Australia was caught using sandpaper to illegally rough up the ball during a Test in Cape Town. Former captain Steve Smith received a one-year ban, David Warner a 12-month suspension and lifetime captaincy ban, and Cameron Bancroft nine months. A Cricket Australia investigation found no other player knew of the plan. Khawaja had reportedly suggested at the time that the squad should have taken collective responsibility rather than just the three players facing punishment.

Cummins insists the matter is settled

Speaking ahead of Friday’s first Test in Durban, Cummins said the team had answered questions “a million times” and moved on. Khawaja also met with Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg to alert him to the nature of the upcoming book. Cummins said the group had evolved over the past eight to nine years and was focused on the current tour.

Bowlers maintain they knew nothing

The Australian bowling attack, including Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, has twice issued statements denying knowledge of the ball-tampering. All four bowlers are now back in South Africa for the three-Test series. Reports suggest Khawaja’s book will not contradict the findings of the original investigation, though the exact contents remain unknown.

Final Thoughts

Cummins’ public backing of Khawaja’s book signals the Australian team is confident the 2018 scandal has been fully investigated and resolved. With the memoir releasing after the South Africa tour ends, the focus for now remains on cricket performance rather than historical controversy.

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