Australian ODI captain Mitch Marsh has been grilled over sandpapergate, but declined to respond to the explosive claims made by Usman Khawaja in his book.
Khawaja sensationally brought sandpapergate back into the spotlight with allegations that everyone in the team knew about the plot in the infamous 2018 Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Mitch Marsh deflects sandpaper questions before ODI series
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Marsh played in the infamous Test and was bowling at the time when Bancroft was filmed with the sandpaper.
Speaking ahead of the ODI series against England, Marsh repeatedly batted away questions about the scandal, and also wouldn’t divulge a “private phone call” he had with Khawaja.
“Look there has obviously 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,” he said.
“I know that might sound weird, it’s a big week for us and this one-day group and my sole focus is preparing for tomorrow.”
He was repeatedly asked if he knew, but said he didn’t want to discuss it.
“At the end of the day, this is my choice not to go back there,” he said.
“I’m walking out tomorrow to captain my country in a really exciting series against England in a World Cup year and my focus has been on that.
“My honest answer is I’ve personally moved on, I respect that others haven’t, but I have. I hope that’s respected.
“It’s my choice not to go back there. Who knows, maybe I’ll write a book one day.
“It was a really tough time for Australian cricket, and I know there is still a lot of people hurting, but now is not the time to share my story.”
He repeatedly said: “I’m not here to go back on my recollections of South Africa.”
When asked specifically if Khawaja was lying, Marsh played a straight bat.
“I respect Uzzy for telling his story and writing his book and I don’t sit here coming from a place of judgement on that,” he said.
“Everyone has got their story and some are willing to share it and others might not, purely on the basis that they might have moved on. I think it’s really important at some stage we do.”
Marsh was asked if he had spoken to Khawaja since the book had been released. He said he hadn’t but did reveal he had had a recent conversation with his former teammate.
Asked what that was about, he simply said: “Private phone call but I played with Uzzy for a long time and I respect that he’s told his story and that’s all.”
Marsh also said that he hasn’t read the book because he isn’t a “big reader”.
Marsh became the second player from the tour to speak since Khawaja’s allegations, coming after Mitchell Starc, who stood by his initial statement from five years.
“There’s differing opinions of eight years ago,” Starc said on Tuesday.
“I won’t speak on behalf of the bowlers, but where I stand, my opinion hasn’t changed. My recollection hasn’t changed from what we said in 2021.”
Current Test captain Pat Cummins is set to front a press conference in Sydney on Friday after he had “reflected” on the fresh claims.
