David Warner Criticises Cummins Over Sandpaper Row

Former Australia opener David Warner has criticised Test captain Pat Cummins for rejecting Usman Khawaja’s claims about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Speaking during Australia’s opening ODI against England in Perth on Friday, November 13, Warner defended Khawaja’s account and expressed disappointment with Cummins’ response.

Warner Backs Khawaja’s Ball-Tampering Revelations

Warner supported Khawaja’s account in his autobiography Sabr, which claims the Australian team knew about the use of sandpaper during the 2018 Cape Town Test against South Africa.

He accused Cummins of throwing Khawaja under the bus during a 69-minute press conference.

Warner maintained that Khawaja’s version was truthful and said he was disappointed by the Australian captain’s public criticism of his former teammate.

Pat Cummins Rejects Sandpaper Scandal Allegations

Cummins dismissed Khawaja’s claims as complete nonsense, denying that he knew sandpaper was being used to alter the condition of the ball.

The controversy dates back to March 2018, when Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper during the Newlands Test.

Cricket Australia subsequently suspended Warner and Steve Smith for 12 months each, while Bancroft received a nine-month ban.

Warner Recalls Personal Impact of 2018 Scandal

Warner said the three sanctioned players continued facing public criticism eight years after the incident.

He also spoke about the personal consequences for his family, revealing that he and his wife had lost a baby during that period.

While Warner has backed Khawaja, Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh have maintained their positions on the controversy.

Smith and Bancroft have not publicly responded to the latest claims.