'Don't want to speculate' - Handscomb, Root keep distance from fresh sandpaper claims

Handscomb made clear he did not want to push the story further when asked about it, leaving the matter hanging without any new details from either cricketer. He also said he had not reached out to any of the other players, adding: “I’m sure their phones are probably going mental anyway.” The remark suggested the pressure was already spreading beyond the immediate conversation, as any new allegation in cricket can quickly draw calls, messages and scrutiny across a wider group.

Sandpaper claims are not a routine sideshow in cricket. They strike at questions of fair play, trust and the way teams compete within the laws of the game, which is why even a brief comment can carry weight. When such claims surface, silence is often as revealing as a detailed explanation.

That is why measured responses matter. Players who are named or drawn into a discussion often try to avoid saying anything that could be read as confirmation, denial or criticism, especially before the full picture is clear. In that sense, Handscomb and Root have opted for caution rather than reaction.

What happens next will depend on whether any of the players involved choose to speak publicly and whether the claims are developed further. For now, the story is less about answers than about the careful space both men have created around it, and the questions that space leaves behind.