Australia allrounder Mitchell Marsh has refused to discuss the 2018 ball tampering scandal after Usman Khawaja’s new autobiography raised fresh questions about the incident.
Marsh faced several questions about the controversy during a press conference on Thursday, ahead of Australia’s three match ODI series against England.
The 35 year old was part of the Australian team during the infamous Cape Town Test against South Africa in 2018. But he made it clear that he did not want to revisit the incident.
“I’m not here to go back on my recollections of South Africa,” Marsh said.
“This is my choice not to go back there. Who knows maybe I will write a book one day.”
The controversy returned after Khawaja suggested in his autobiography that more Australian players should accept responsibility for the scandal.
Khawaja wrote that “it was all of us” and revealed that players had discussed using sandpaper to rough up the ball and help generate reverse swing during the previous Test.
His claims have raised fresh questions about whether Australia’s bowlers knew about the plan.
Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon had previously denied knowing that sandpaper was taken onto the field.
In a joint statement in 2021, the four players said they “did not know a foreign substance was taken on to the field”.
Cummins has yet to speak publicly about Khawaja’s latest claims but has promised to address the issue.
Meanwhile, Marsh insisted that his attention remained on the upcoming ODI series against England.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Australia and England will begin their three match ODI series on Friday, with the renewed ball tampering debate casting a shadow over the build up.
