Mitchell Marsh, standing in as Australia's one-day captain for the series against England, repeatedly declined to discuss the 2018 ball-tampering scandal at a pre-match press conference in Perth on Thursday. The all-rounder, who was Australia's bowler when the controversy erupted during the Cape Town Test, faced questions after Usman Khawaja's autobiography revived the issue.
Marsh, 35, stated firmly: "I'm not here to go back on my recollections of South Africa. This is my choice not to go back there. Who knows, maybe I will write a book one day." His comments came shortly after Cricket Australia announced an impromptu press conference for Friday morning, where regular captain Pat Cummins is expected to address the matter.
Cummins, who has not spoken publicly since Khawaja's book was released, took to social media to say: "Happy to speak with any and all media about the events of this week. I've taken some time to try and better understand the long list and full extent of Uzzy's allegations so I can respond properly."
On Thursday, Cricket Australia's interim chair David Boon backed Cummins to remain as captain. "We absolutely support Pat," Boon told The Australian. "He's been an exemplary captain, he's led the team with integrity and very successfully over the period of time that he's been captain, so there's no question of our confidence in him continuing on in that fact."
Since the release of Khawaja's book, much of the discussion has centered on whether Cummins and the other bowlers - Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, who all remain part of the team - were aware of the plan to use sandpaper on the ball. In 2021, the quartet released a joint statement asserting they "did not know a foreign substance was taken on to the field."
In his book, Khawaja wrote that "it was all of us" and called for the players to take collective responsibility. He said there had been a discussion about using sandpaper to rough up the ball and promote reverse swing during the previous Test.
The topic has overshadowed the build-up to the three-match one-day international series between Australia and England, which begins at 03:30 GMT on Friday. England captain Harry Brook said he "hasn't seen any" of the debate. "Obviously I have heard some conversations but we weren't in that dressing room, we have no idea what happened, we are out here now and have a good challenge against Australia," Brook said. "We are just trying to focus on ourselves."
Marsh added: "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. I know that might sound weird, but it's a big week for us and an important time for this one-day group, and my sole focus has been on preparing for tomorrow." Asked why he did not want to share further details, he said: "My honest answer is because I've moved on, I respect that others probably haven't, but I have. And I hope that's respected."
