Source : the age
Perth: Mitchell Marsh has repeatedly deflected questions about Usman Khawaja’s allegations relating to the infamous sandpapergate incident of 2018.
Marsh, who played in the South Africa series eight years ago, was hit with multiple questions on Thursday as he faced a press conference ahead of Australia’s one-day international against England in Perth on Friday.
Responding to claims made in teammate Usman Khawaja’s book and subsequent interviews that everyone involved in the 2018 series in South Africa had prior knowledge of ball tampering, Marsh declined to comment further on the situation.
The first question was whether he knew that sandpaper was being used on the ball during that series.
“You’ve hit a six off the first ball there, mate. Well done,” Marsh said.
“Look, there’s obviously 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 it’s an important time for this one-day group, and my sole focus has been on preparing for tomorrow.
“I’m walking out to tomorrow to captain my country in a really exciting series against England in a World Cup year, and I’m focused on that.”
Marsh said he hadn’t read Khawaja’s memoir Sabr, but that he had spoken with his former Australian teammate in a private phone call before it was released. He declined to say what was said in the call.
He was repeatedly asked about his recollection of the events of the infamous South African tour, but refused to be drawn into a definitive answer.
“I’m not here to go back on my recollections of South Africa,” he said.
“My honest answer is because I’ve personally moved on, I respect that others probably haven’t, but I have, and I hope that’s respected.”
It came as Test captain Pat Cummins confirmed he would front the media on Friday in Sydney to address a “long list” of Khawaja’s allegations.
In a statement posted on his social media accounts on Thursday morning, Cummins said he was happy to answer any questions and wanted the chance to “respond properly” to claims in Khawaja’s book and subsequent interviews that everyone involved in the 2018 series in South Africa had prior knowledge of ball tampering.
“I’m training at Cricket Central tomorrow morning before the Blues play in the Shield match,” Cummins wrote. “Happy to speak with any and all media about the events of this week at 9.30am.
“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. Afterwards please stay and support the Blues!
“I’ll ask CA [Cricket Australia] to send out details.”
Some cricket officials were unaware that Cummins was going to announce a press conference on his own social media accounts.
Cummins’ announcement came a day after he and his wife Becky were photographed by The Australian newspaper appearing to have an animated conversation in Sydney. However, sources close to the cricketer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, say the pair weren’t having an argument with each other.
Cummins’ wife posted a happy snap of the pair on Thursday morning following the News Corp story.
Meanwhile, former Test batter David Warner claimed Graeme Hick questioned Khawaja’s assertion the whole team was aware of the ball-tampering plot because the former batting coach was out of favour with the side.
Hick on Tuesday told this masthead he had no prior knowledge of Australia’s plans to use sandpaper during the 2018 tour of South Africa, slamming Khawaja’s claims the entire touring party knew as “absolutely false”.
Warner responded overnight on social media to Hick’s comments. He claimed Hick’s recollection of the events leading into the Cape Town Test was affected by the team’s desire to install Michael Di Venuto into his role as Australia’s batting coach.
Hick was let go by Cricket Australia in June 2020 as part of the organisation’s austerity measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Di Venuto returned as the team’s batting coach in July 2021.
Warner’s comment did not challenge Hick’s account, but questioned his standing among the players.
“Let’s get the facts straight. Graeme Hick was only appointed because Cricket Australia was unwilling to pay Michael Di Venuto what he deserved,” Warner wrote on social media platform X in reply to a post by the Wide World of Sports account.
“As players, we valued Michael so highly that we even offered to contribute from our own salaries to retain him. These discussions were taking place during the New Zealand tour [in 2017]. That alone speaks volumes about how highly we regarded him and how determined we were to keep him involved. Adds to why Graeme has spoken!!”
Hick declined to comment when contacted by this masthead on Thursday morning to respond to Warner’s remarks.
Hick is the second member of Australia’s coaching staff from the tour to contest Khawaja’s claim in his memoir Sabr that the whole touring party was aware of the plan to use sandpaper in Cape Town. Khawaja also alleged sandpaper was used in the second Test at Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha.
“I have seen the various statements around the coaches, and I’m very disappointed with the broad nature of them,” Hick told this masthead on Thursday.
“Khawaja puts it simply: ‘It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us.’ To me, what Khawaja is implying here is absolutely false.
“In regard to any discussions around the ball tampering in Port Elizabeth or Cape Town that took place, I will say in true honesty that I did not hear or know anything!!
“My first knowledge of all this was, like many, when it appeared on the big screen in Cape Town as I was sat on the outside balcony at the time.”
Khawaja also claimed a member of the coaching staff had encouraged Bancroft to use sandpaper during an interval of the Cape Town Test.
Then Australian coach Darren Lehmann and Hick have now both denied they were involved.
Meanwhile, the reviewer who led the investigation into Cricket Australia in 2018 following the scandal in South Africa says he is doubtful he was told the full story at the time, and that Khawaja’s claims have left “a dark shadow” over the playing group.
Simon Longstaff, executive director at The Ethics Centre, told ABC TV on Thursday morning while he did not believe Cricket Australia orchestrated a cover-up of the ball tampering plot, it was his view that an “agreement” had been reached among players not to tell the truth.
“It was only whispers at the time. They were faint, there were few but enough for me to go back and check with one or two key individuals who were offered the opportunity to alter what they had said, and they chose not to do so,” Longstaff said.
“We still don’t know what happened. There’s completely radically different accounts being given by Khawaja, by Warner and then by the other players at the time.”
With Emily Kaine
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
