Cricket Australia (CA) chairman David Boon has thrown his full support behind Test captain Pat Cummins insisting his leadership is not under threat following fresh allegations about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal in Usman Khawaja’s new autobiography.
In his book Sabr released this week the former Test batter Khawaja claimed that all Australian players on the 2018 tour of South Africa had prior knowledge of the plan to tamper with the ball and that it occurred during the second Test in Port Elizabeth as well as the infamous third Test in Cape Town.
The claims have renewed scrutiny on Cummins who played in that series alongside bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon. In 2021, the four bowlers issued a joint statement denying any knowledge that a foreign substance was taken onto the pitch.
Speaking to The Australian on Thursday, David Boon praised Cummins as an "exemplary captain" who has led the side with integrity also adding there is "no question" about him continuing in the role. Echoing CA CEO Todd Greenberg, David Boon ruled out reopening the investigation, saying the board wants to avoid a "he-said-she-said argument."
Cummins has not yet addressed the claims publicly though he posted on X that he will speak to the media on Friday after reviewing the full extent of Khawaja’s assertions. Meanwhile the white-ball captain Mitchell Marsh also toured South Africa in 2018 declined to share his version of events in Perth on Thursday, acknowledging that many people are still hurting from the saga.
Khawaja’s account has split former teammates and staff. David Warner was banned alongside Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft in 2018 and retired fast bowler Chadd Sayers have backed Khawaja’s version. Conversely, Mitchell Starc denied any prior knowledge earlier this week while former batting coach Graeme Hick dismissed the claims as "absolutely false."
