Australian white-ball captain Mitchell Marsh has declined to comment on Usman Khawaja’s bold allegations regarding the 2018 sandpapergate controversy. Marsh, who was also in the 2018 Test team declined to comment on the same
at a press conference in Perth on Thursday.
Notably, in his autobiography, ‘Sabr’ former Test batter Usman Khawaja asserted that he and all his teammates on the tour of South Africa knew about their plan to temper the ball. On being asked about the same, Marsh refused to talk.
He said, “Look, obviously there’s been a bit of noise around this week, and I respect that certain people have told their stories.”
“I’m not here to share mine today, I know that might sound weird, but it’s a big week for us and it’s an important time for this one-day (squad) and my sole focus has been on preparing for tomorrow.”
Mitchell Marsh persistently refused to speak about Australia’s ball-tampering saga at a news conference on Thursday. https://t.co/UKNxjJKI4a
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) November 12, 2026
Everyone has got their story- Mitchell Marsh on sandpapergate scandal
While Khawaja was brutally slammed for his allegations, the allegations were backed by former teammate David Warner, who along with Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, was banned for his part in the scandal.
Speaking about the same, he said, “I respect (Usman Khawaja) for telling his story and for writing his book, and I don’t sit here coming from a place of judgment on any of that,” Marsh said ahead of a one-day international against England.”
“Everyone’s got their story. Some will be willing to share it, and others might not, purely on the basis of the fact that they’ve moved on. I think it’s really important that at some stage we do,” he added.
