This morning, I attended Pat Cummins’ press conference in Sydney, where the Australian cricket captain fronted the media about former teammate Usman Khawaja’s ‘Sandpapergate’ claims.

Thanks to all of you who wrote in to submit questions yesterday, it really helped decide on the question I ultimately asked Cummins this morning.

Now, after a remarkable week of twists and turns in the ‘Sandpapergate’ saga, where do you stand?

P.S. If you’re lost, read today’s headlines!

🏏 Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has called former teammate Usman Khawaja’s claim that the whole team knew about the 2018 ball-tampering plot “complete and utter nonsense”. Speaking at a press conference in Sydney this morning, the star bowler said Khawaja was “100% wrong” if he meant that players knew sandpaper was being taken onto the field in Cape Town. He admitted the team at the time had a “win-at-all-costs mentality and an ugly underbelly”. In his new autobiography, Sabr, Khawaja argues that the squad should have shared the blame instead of leaving it with the three players who were suspended: Cameron Bancroft, David Warner and Steve Smith. Cummins said he still sees Khawaja as a friend, but that friends “aren’t casual with each other’s lives and reputations”.

🏉 Victoria Police will not charge four Sydney Swans players investigated over an alleged incident at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel in August, citing “insufficient evidence”. The decision ends a 12-week investigation into allegations by three women that they were sexually assaulted at the hotel, where the team stayed after beating Essendon. Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Nick Blakey, who has since left the club, were interviewed by police. The Swans suspended the four players, as well as Riley Bice (treated as a witness), for the final round and the finals series for breaching club standards. Police said they would not comment further because of an “ongoing civil matter,” with the three women pursuing civil action against several players and the club. In a statement, Heeney said the past three months had been “incredibly difficult” for his family.

🏉 New Zealand international rugby league stars Kalyn Ponga and Stacey Waaka have won the 2026 Golden Boot awards, given to the best male and female players in international rugby league. Both are playing their first campaigns for New Zealand at this year’s World Cup. Ponga broke his forearm in the tournament opener against Australia but played on for about 20 minutes and returned three weeks later to star as player of the match in the Kiwis’ semi-final win over Tonga. Waaka, a two-time Olympic gold medallist in rugby sevens, has scored nine tries in four games since switching codes.

🏏 The Sydney Sixers remain unbeaten in the Women’s Big Bash League after an 11-run win over the Melbourne Renegades at Junction Oval last night. New Zealand allrounder Melie Kerr top-scored with 53 off 34 balls as the Sixers posted 6-140. Ashleigh Gardner then took 3-13 to bowl the Renegades out for 129. The Sixers are second on the ladder behind the also-unbeaten Perth Scorchers, while the Renegades are sixth with two wins and three losses.

Talking points: While cricket has dominated headlines this week, it feels as though the beginning of Australia’s three-match ODI series against England has slipped under the radar. This afternoon’s game is England’s first at Perth Stadium since last summer’s opening Ashes Test, which Australia won within two days. Mitchell Marsh is captaining a side without its three senior fast bowlers. Test captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have all been rested ahead of a home Test series against New Zealand and a tour of India. That has opened the door for younger players, including fast bowler Mahli Beardman and batter Ollie Peake. England are captained by Harry Brook. The series moves to Adelaide Oval on Sunday and finishes in Hobart on Wednesday. After that, the teams play five T20s, starting at the MCG next Saturday.

How to watch: The first ODI started at 2:30pm (AEDT) today. You can watch the series on Fox Cricket and Kayo.

Talking points: Australia and New Zealand will meet in both the men’s and women’s finals at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, with the Kangaroos and Jillaroos each chasing a fourth straight title. The Jillaroos survived a scare in their semi-final against Fiji. The Fijians, playing in their first World Cup, led 8-0 before Australia pulled away to win 30-14. The Kiwi Ferns had an easier night, keeping Samoa scoreless in a 32-0 win to reach their seventh consecutive final. In the men’s draw, the Kangaroos beat Samoa 44-12 behind a Reece Walsh hat-trick, and coach Kevin Walters has kept the same side for the final. Meanwhile, the Kiwis beat Tonga 34-10 to reach their first final since 2013. Australia won the tournament opener between the two sides 24-20. Before all that, Australia plays Ireland for third place, and England and France play the final at the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup in Wollongong tonight.

How to watch: The women’s final kicks off at 4:10pm (AEDT) on Sunday, followed by the men’s final at 7:35pm. Both are on Seven and 7plus. The wheelchair cup is on 7mate and 7plus from 5:15pm tonight.

Talking points: Two semi-finals on Saturday will decide who joins North Melbourne and Melbourne in next weekend’s preliminary finals. On Saturday afternoon, Geelong will host Sydney at GMHBA Stadium. The Cats will look to bounce back after last week’s loss, where they led Melbourne by 28 points before the Demons kicked the last five goals to win by four. Meanwhile, the Swans will be hoping to carry some momentum from their elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs. The last time these two teams met was in 2025, with the Swans winning by five points. Later on Saturday, Carlton hosts Hawthorn at Ikon Park. The Blues come into the match after scoring just one goal last week in a 36-point loss to reigning champions North Melbourne, while Hawthorn beat Gold Coast by 18 points for the club’s first AFLW finals win. When these two sides met in Round 8, Carlton won by two goals. North Melbourne, who are chasing a third straight flag, remain this year’s premiership favourites with the Grand Final on 27 November.

How to watch: Geelong v Sydney starts at 4:05pm (AEDT) and Carlton v Hawthorn at 7:15pm. Both are on Seven, 7plus, Kayo and Foxtel.

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