Warner on the warpath as he attacks assistant coach’s sandpaper account

Detailed summary

David Warner claimed Graeme 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…

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has confirmed he will front the media on Friday in Sydney to address a “long list” of Usman Khawaja’s allegations relating to the infamous Sandpapergate incident of 2018.

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 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!

Cummins’ announcement came as former Test batter David Warner claimed Graeme Hick questioned Usman 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.

Opening of the article, excerpted from The Sydney Morning Herald. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.