{
  "id": 19746644,
  "title": "Pat Cummins Breaks Silence On Usman Khawaja's Sandpaper Controversy Claims; Calls Allegations 'Complete And Utter Nonsense'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/pat-cummins-breaks-silence-on-usman-khawajas-sandpaper-controversy",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T02:06:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/pat-cummins-breaks-silence-on-usman-khawajas-sandpaper-controversy-claims-calls-allegations-complete-and-utter-nonsense"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has dismissed former teammate Usman Khawaja's accusations regarding the 2018 Sandpaper ball-tampering scandal as complete and utter nonsense, during a press conference on Friday. The controversy resurfaced after Khawaja's autobiography, 'Sabr,' was published this week. Khawaja claimed that he and others were aware of the ball-tampering plan, suggesting the entire team was involved. In response, Cummins stated that he had no knowledge of the sandpaper being taken onto the field and that Khawaja's claims were far more serious, asserting that he and others were architects of the scheme. He also expressed shock over Khawaja's allegations regarding Cameron Bancroft's involvement, particularly the revelation that Khawaja had told Bancroft to be cautious while using sandpaper. Despite acknowledging their friendship, Cummins questioned Khawaja's casual approach to discussing sensitive matters. Cummins denied being approached about a collective responsibility discussion and confirmed he wouldn't pursue legal action against Khawaja, emphasizing the need to move past the controversy.",
  "summary": "Australia Test captain Pat Cummins has finally broken his silence on the explosive allegations made by former teammate Usman Khawaja regarding the infamous 2018 Sandpaper scandal. Cummins strongly rejected Khawaja's claims, describing the allegations as \"complete and utter nonsense\" during a press conference on Friday. The controversy resurfaced after Khawaja's autobiography, Sabr, was published…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ESPNcricinfo",
        "title": "Cummins: Khawaja's allegations 'complete and utter nonsense'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/cummins-khawajas-allegations-complete-and-utter-nonsense",
        "published": "2026-11-12T22:47:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "'Utter nonsense', Australia skipper Cummins denies involvement in sandpaper plot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/utter-nonsense-australia-skipper-cummins-denies-involvement-in",
        "published": "2026-11-12T23:16:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}