NEW DELHI: England Test captain Joe Root has chosen not to comment on the fresh allegations surrounding Australia’s 2018 ball-tampering scandal, popularly known as ‘Sandpapergate’.Speaking ahead of England’s three-match ODI series against Australia, Root said he did not know what had happened inside the Australian dressing room and wanted to concentrate on the matches ahead.“I wasn’t in that [Australia] dressing room, I don’t know what went on. I don’t want to speculate. My focus is with this team right now and what we’ve got coming up,” Root said. He added that England had no clear information about the latest claims and wanted to focus on the ODI series.When asked whether he had experienced similar practices in cricket, Root said, “I can only speak from my own experiences and that’s not how I feel, no.”
Khawaja’s fresh claims reopen Sandpapergate
The controversy has returned to the spotlight following revelations in former Australian batter Usman Khawaja‘s autobiography, Sabr.Khawaja claimed that ball-tampering was not limited to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, suggesting that the wider Australian team, including support staff, knew about the practice.He also alleged that Australia had been lifting the ball’s quarter seam during the 2017-18 Ashes series to help generate reverse swing. Khawaja believes the three players should not be left carrying the blame alone and has called for collective responsibility.The original scandal took place during the 2018 Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Smith and Warner received one-year bans, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months after being caught using sandpaper on the ball.
Handscomb also avoids fresh comments
Australian batter Peter Handscomb, who was part of the squad during the Cape Town Test, also declined to discuss Khawaja’s claims.“Look, I appreciate you have to ask these questions. I’ve had a nice day today, and it’s not really something that I want to comment on right now. I’ll sort of just let the powers of people do their thing,” he said.Handscomb added that players must learn to move forward despite off-field controversies and outside discussions.
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