MITCHELL JOHNSON: Aussie team looks fractured amid ‘s--tfight’ as sandpaper fallout continues

Résumé détaillé

Usman Khawaja wouldn’t answer the question on Pat Cummins or name who knew, but really he has, by saying the whole team and support staff. Not answering raises more questions, writes Mitchell Johnson.

A few days ago I asked why Usman Khawaja chose now to tell his sandpaper story. I still don’t love the timing. But you can be right and wrong at the same time.

Wrong, because this should have been dealt with eight years ago, and the moment to back Cameron Bancroft was back in 2021, when he hinted the bowlers knew.

Right, because Usman is telling his truth, and I can see why he would. Cricket Australia’s investigation was never sufficient.

Everyone has their side. Does that make it fact? David Warner says Usman’s version is “100 per cent accurate” and he stands with his “brother”, but what is he 100 per cent accurate about exactly? Chadd Sayers backs Khawaja too.

The ‘big four’ bowlers deny it. There hasn’t been a new statement from the four of them.

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon have stuck together from day one. They played in that Cape Town Test, so I can see why they spoke together. But why weren’t the other bowlers in that squad - blokes such as Sayers, Jhye Richardson and Mitch Marsh - part of it?

All four who signed the 2021 denial letter have a New South Wales connection. I don’t know if that means anything. It just looks fractured, like a team within a team.

I watched Usman on the ABC’s 7.30 on Tuesday night. He wouldn’t answer the question on Cummins or name who knew, but really he has, by saying the whole team and support staff. Not naming specific players is one thing. Not answering raises more questions.

You are responsible for your actions. If it was three players, it should have been owned eight years ago. If it was the whole team, it should have been owned eight years ago.

Début de l'article, extrait de The West Australian. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.