Joe Root has dismissed Usman Khawaja’s suggestion that ball tampering was widespread in international cricket, following fresh revelations about Australia’s controversial sandpaper scandal.
Khawaja has reignited the controversy through his new autobiography, Sabr, claiming that Australia’s players experimented with the ball during their 4-0 Ashes victory over England in the 2017-18 series.
The former Australian opener wrote that the team discovered raising the flaps on the ball’s quarter seam could help generate reverse swing.
Explaining the technique, Khawaja said: “If we raised the flaps up on the quarter seam on that ball, it was almost like it had a rudder on it and it’d start reverse swinging.”
He also defended his claims by suggesting that ball tampering was not exclusive to Australia.
“The whole world was doing whatever little they could to try and reverse swing the ball,” he wrote.
However, Root, who captained England during that Ashes series, rejected the suggestion when asked whether he believed similar practices were widespread.
“I can only speak from my own experiences. That’s not how I feel,” he responded.
Root Refuses to Speculate Over Australia’s Sandpaper Scandal
The latest revelations have triggered renewed debate in Australia, particularly following Khawaja’s assertion that knowledge of the 2018 sandpaper plot extended beyond the three players who were publicly punished.
Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were the players who took responsibility for their involvement in the Cape Town ball-tampering incident.
However, Khawaja’s account has raised questions about whether other members of the Australian team were aware of what was happening.
Asked about the allegations, Root repeatedly declined to comment on matters he said he had no direct knowledge of.
“We obviously have no idea. It’s all speculation. Our focus, our concerns are on this three-match series,” he said.
The former England captain was also asked whether the new claims had changed his perspective on the 2017-18 Ashes campaign.
Root responded: “I wasn’t in that dressing-room. I don’t know what went on.
I don’t want to speculate, as I said. My focus is with this team right now and what we’ve got coming up.”
Khawaja Withdraws From Further Book Interviews
Meanwhile, Khawaja has withdrawn from television and radio appearances intended to promote his autobiography after facing intense questioning during an interview on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s flagship 7.30 programme on Tuesday evening.
Presenter Sarah Ferguson repeatedly challenged the former opener to provide further details about his claims that the entire Australian team knew about the sandpaper operation.
The questioning also touched on Pat Cummins, who is now Australia’s captain and was part of the team during the controversy.
However, Khawaja declined to expand on his allegations, saying he did not want to escalate the situation.
“I’m not here to inflame the situation any more,” he explained.
“I was here to tell my truth, what I saw, what I felt, and to stick with those three guys that were made out to be the only people who have taken [the blame].”
His comments have intensified calls for further scrutiny of the events surrounding the 2018 scandal.
Bethell Ruled Out of England’s Australia Tour
Elsewhere, England have suffered a setback ahead of their eight-match white-ball tour of Australia, with Jacob Bethell ruled out before making his anticipated return to action.
The 22-year-old has developed swelling in his troublesome right knee, raising fresh concerns about his availability for England’s upcoming Test series against South Africa.
Bethell is expected to fly back to the United Kingdom from Perth on Saturday to undergo further assessment by a specialist.
He has not played competitive cricket since July 19, when he sustained the knee injury during England’s ODI against India at Lord’s.
Friday’s opening one-day international against Australia at Optus Stadium had been scheduled as his comeback match.
However, the latest swelling has forced him to abandon those plans, with the extent of the injury yet to be established.
Bethell’s Fitness for South Africa Tests in Doubt
The injury has also raised questions about Bethell’s participation in England’s three-Test series against South Africa, which begins on December 17 at Centurion.
England are already without fast bowler Josh Tongue, who has been ruled out of both the three-match ODI series and the subsequent five-match T20 series because of a toe injury.
In response, the England management have called up two uncapped players as replacements.
Sussex spin-bowling all-rounder James Coles and Hampshire fast bowler Eddie Jack have been drafted into the squad to provide cover.
Bethell’s absence is a setback for England as they attempt to establish a settled white-ball team ahead of next year’s ODI World Cup in southern Africa.
However, his withdrawal also opens the door for Tom Banton to continue alongside Ben Duckett at the top of the batting order.
The pair impressed during England’s recent tri-series in Pakistan, and Bethell’s absence means Banton is now in line to maintain the opening partnership during the Australian tour.
