Former Australian opener David Warner has hit out at incumbent Test captain Pat Cummins after he categorically rejected Khawaja's claims that the entire team was aware of the plan, describing the allegations as ‘utter nonesence’. In his book, Khawaja claimed that knowledge of the plan to change the condition of the ball using sandpaper was known by the whole team. Meanwhile, Launching a scathing attack, Warner accused Pat Cummins of throwing Usman Khawaja under the bus.
“Pat Cummins was very well prepared this morning, and I still stick by Uzzy and what he’s written in that book,” Warner told Fox Sports.
“It is the truth and I really, really support him. I actually feel for him at the moment. I actually feel that the captain today actually threw Uzzy under the bus and I’m very, very disappointed about that.”
In the wake of the scandal, Cricket Australia had launched an investigation, and in its conclusion, CA had stated that only Cameron Bancroft, captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were aware of the plan. As part of punishment, Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for one year from competitive cricket, while Cameron Bancroft was handed a nine-month suspension.
“All three of us have paid a big price in this thing. I hadn't spoken about it in eight years, but at the end of the day, we've got to live with these consequences daily,” Warner said.
“We've been served a life punishment. When other people talk about… they've been affected by it, there's nothing worse for me, Steve and Cam, who have to walk out there every day and we cop abuse,” he said.
“Yes, we accepted it, but at the end of the day, my wife and I paid the greatest price. We lost a baby during that time. That's why it really hurts me the most until the truth is accepted.”