Joe Root has deflected questions about Australia’s sandpaper scandal, before denying England ever took part in ball-tampering during his career.
After bombshell claims from Usman Khawaja in his new autobiography, where he strongly hinted the whole Test team knew about the plot that led to the bans served by Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, the topic of ball-tampering has become a non-stop talking point in cricket circles.
Australia’s Sandpaper scandal has continued. Getty
There had been suggestions that all teams at Test level were using dirty tricks to get the ball to reverse-swing, while Khawaja also claimed Australia had been doing it for longer than just the Cape Town incident.
Speaking to media ahead of England’s first ODI against Australia on Friday night, Root was asked if he had been to a bookshop this week and whether he wanted to weigh in on the tumultuous few days that has rocked his rivals.
“Ah, no. In terms of everything that’s happening or come out in the last little while, we obviously have no idea, and it’s all speculation,” he said.
“Our focus and our concerns are on this three-match series.”
Given the 2018 incident came just months after Root’s first Ashes series as captain, the champion batsman was asked if he knew about it then.
“I wasn’t in that dressing room, I don’t know what went on. I don’t wanna speculate and as I said, my focus is with this team right now,” he said.
Root was then quizzed about whether England tampered with balls illegally during his lengthy career on the international stage.
“I can only speak from my own experiences and that’s not how I feel, no,” he said.
England’s media manager then stepped in and asked reporters to not continue their line of questioning about the ball-tampering saga.
As for the three-game series, which begins at Optus Stadium later this week, Root will bring up a milestone 200th game in the format.
The 35-year-old said it was a “privilege” to compete on Aussie soil for such an occasion and wants to continue helping England grow before the World Cup.
“We’ve had a brilliant little time leading into this white-ball series and in 50-over cricket, you don’t really get the preparation phase that we’ve managed to have here, which has been great,” Root said.
“I played my 100th ODI here in Sydney and to be back here for my 200th game is obviously a huge privilege. As a kid playing in the back garden or on the driveway … to then get the opportunity to come all around the world is a real privilege.
“I’m very proud of that, and hopefully, we can continue our development as a team over the next little while.”
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