‘Moved on’: Mitch Marsh refuses to answer sandpaper questions ahead of Australia’s ODI clash against England

Mitch Marsh says he’s “moved on” from the sandpaper scandal and refused to share his version of the infamous events.

In his first time speaking publicly since his former teammate Usman Khawaja rocked Australian cricket, the West Australian star played a straight bat to questions over the saga, which has roared back to life in recent days.

Marsh was part of the Test side as they were enveloped by a ball-tampering scandal on their infamous tour of South Africa in 2018.

Cricket Australia’s subsequent investigation concluded only Cam Bancroft — who was shown on the television broadcast attempting to conceal what was later confirmed as a piece of sandpaper on the field in Cape Town — vice-captain David Warner and captain Steve Smith were aware of the plans, and they were each handed lengthy bans.

But on Saturday, former batsman Khawaja went public with a completely different version of events, saying the entire side was cognisant of the plot and it was not the first time it had occurred.

Speaking in his capacity as Australia’s captain ahead of the start of the start of their 50-over series against England in Perth tomorrow, Marsh sidestepped questions over Khawaja’s claims.

“There’s obviously been a lot of noise around this week and I respect people have told their stories, but I’m not here to share mine today,” Marsh said.

“My honest answer is I’ve personally moved on. I respect that others haven’t.

“He (Khawaja) has written his book, and my focus is really on tomorrow.

“This is my choice not to go back there. Who knows? I might write a book one day.”

Marsh was bowling when Bancroft was first shown on the television broadcast attempting to conceal what was later confirmed to be a piece of sandpaper.

Khawaja’s book said that specific method of ball tampering was first employed during the second Test of the series in Gqeberha. The Proteas went from 2-155 to 6-183 in their first innings with the bat, a collapse in which Marsh claimed two wickets.

When asked if his recollection of that game matched Khawaja’s, he replied: “As I’ve said, I’m not going back to South Africa.”

After Bancroft said in a 2021 interview whether Australia’s bowlers were aware ball tampering was taking place was “self-explanatory,” Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins signed a joint statement in denial.

Marsh, who bowled regularly throughout the series, flat-batted a question asking why he had not joined them in doing so.

“I’m not here to speak on behalf of others,” he said.

“As I’ve stated, I’m not really keen to go back into my recollections of any of the times throughout that period.”

Marsh said he had not read Khawaja’s autobiography on account of the fact he was “not a big reader”, but said he had received a “private phone call” from his former teammate before its release.

Marsh became the second player from the tour to speak since Khawaja’s allegations, coming after Mitchell Starc. Cummins is set to front a press conference in Sydney on Friday after he had “reflected” on the fresh claims.

On Tuesday, Starc reaffirmed his version of events.

“There’s differing opinions of eight years ago,” Starc said.

“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.”

Cummins, who has since been appointed Australia’s captain, will front media in Sydney on Friday morning after volunteering to do so this morning.