'We absolutely support Pat' - Cricket Australia backs Cummins amid ball-tampering row

Usman Khawaja's autobiography Sabr has reignited the 2018 ball-tampering controversy this week by claiming that all members of the Australian Test team on the South Africa tour were aware of plans to manipulate the ball. The allegations have prompted fresh calls for Cricket Australia to reopen its investigation into the scandal, which originally centred on Cameron Bancroft's use of sandpaper during the third Test at Cape Town in March 2018.

David Boon, Cricket Australia's chairman, has moved to shield Test captain Pat Cummins from the fallout. Boon stated that Cummins' position remains secure and that the board retains complete confidence in his leadership.

Khawaja alleged that all members of the Australian team on the 2018 South Africa tour knew about the plan to tamper with the ball. His claims have reopened the debate over the scandal and led to demands for another investigation.

Cummins, who now leads Australia's Test team, has also come under pressure to explain what he knew. Boon said Cummins had led the team with honesty and had the board's complete backing.

"We absolutely support Pat," Boon was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

Why will Cricket Australia not reopen the investigation?

Boon acknowledged Khawaja's perspective but resisted reopening the investigation. He explained that different players held different recollections of events from the 2018 tour and that pursuing a fresh inquiry would amount to a dispute over competing versions of the same incidents.

"I respect (Usman's) point of view and his recollections of what occurred, and they're his, but we don't want to get into a he-said-she-said argument. There are going to be supporters; there's going to be other guys that don't recollect the same thing, so I don't see a purpose," he added.

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg had already stated on Tuesday, November 10, that no compelling reason existed to reopen the case. Boon reiterated that position, signalling the board's intention to move forward without revisiting the 2018 findings.

Khawaja's claims extend beyond the third Test in Cape Town. In his autobiography, he alleged that Australia had also manipulated the ball during the second Test in South Africa, broadening the scope of the original scandal.

What other players have said about Khawaja's claims?

Mitchell Marsh, Australia's white-ball captain and a member of the 2018 Test squad in South Africa, is expected to comment on the matter at a press conference in Perth on Thursday ahead of an ODI against England.

The controversy has divided former and current players over the accuracy of Khawaja's account. Retired fast bowler Chadd Sayers, who toured South Africa in 2018, told Seven Network last weekend that Khawaja's allegations were accurate. David Warner has also supported Khawaja's version of events.

"In regard to any discussions around the ball-tampering in Port Elizabeth or Cape Town that took place, I will say in true honesty that I did not hear or know anything," Hick told Sydney Morning Herald.

Warner, Steve Smith and Bancroft were all banned for their roles in the original 2018 ball-tampering scandal, which had been considered closed until Khawaja's autobiography reopened the debate this week.