Langer backs Cummins after captain rejects Khawaja's Sandpaper-gate claims

Justin Langer backed Australia captain Pat Cummins on Friday after Cummins rejected Usman Khawaja's claims about the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering scandal during a 69-minute press conference; Langer made the remarks on SEN Radio while commentating on the opening ODI between Australia and England in Perth. He said Cummins had been right to address the claims and urged Australian cricket to put the controversy behind it.

Khawaja's autobiography, Sabr, brought the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal back into focus and prompted the captain's response. Cummins denied having any prior knowledge of the plan to use sandpaper on the ball during the Test in March 2018. He strongly rejected Khawaja's suggestion that the entire Australian team knew about the incident, calling it "complete and utter nonsense."

Speaking on SEN Radio, Langer said: "I think he did what he had to do. They're strong leaders; they stand up and it's obviously turned into a crisis point again. There was a great crisis eight years ago and the way it's been reopened this week, there's a crisis in Australian cricket,".

Langer warned the fallout was affecting more than those directly involved and urged a resolution: "There's too many people being hurt in Australian cricket, and that includes the Australian public. It's about the fans, it's about the players, it's about everyone who's involved, the past players, the present players, future players. We have to draw a line in the sand somewhere," he said.

He also conceded the outcome of Cummins' press conference was uncertain: "Too many people are getting hurt, Australian cricket's being hurt, and whether the press conference is going to help that, or hinder it, time will tell," Langer added.

Australia's white-ball captain Mitchell Marsh said he did not want to revisit the scandal, telling reporters: "There's been a lot of noise around this week and I respect that certain people have told their stories, but I'm not here to share mine today. My honest answer is I've moved on. I respect that others probably haven't, but I have. And I hope that's respected. This is my choice not to go back there. Who knows maybe I will write a book one day," Marsh said. Langer supported Marsh's stance: "And the captain stood up. Mitch Marsh stood up yesterday, and hopefully that'll put some sort of line in the sand, because we have to move on it," he said.

Not everyone agreed with Cummins' response. Speaking on Fox Sports, David Warner said he was very disappointed with Cummins and accused him of throwing his former teammate under the bus. The ball-tampering scandal took place during the third Test between Australia and South Africa in Cape Town in March 2018, and Cricket Australia banned then captain Steve Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft for their roles in the incident, with suspensions ranging from nine months to a year.

Khawaja's autobiography has brought the episode back into public discussion, prompting fresh reactions from some of the biggest names in Australian cricket. Cummins, Langer, Marsh and Warner have all made public comments in response to Khawaja's book.