Mitch Marsh didn't want to shed any new light, but Pat Cummins is set to break his public silence on the sandpaper scandal after taking time to "better understand" the allegations of ex-teammate Usman Khawaja.
Test captain Cummins will front the media on Friday morning at Cricket NSW's headquarters in Sydney.
"Happy to speak with any and all media about the events of this week," Cummins posted on Instagram on Thursday.
"I've taken some time to try and better understand the long list and full extent of Uzzy's allegations so I can respond properly."
Many in Australian cricket circles have been demanding Cummins publicly respond to Khawaja's explosive claims in his book about ball tampering in Australia's Test team.
Khawaja wrote the entire team was aware of the plot to use sandpaper on the ball in the infamous 2018 Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
The retired batsman also wrote of Australia's tampering in the preceding Ashes Test series against England.
Marsh addressed the media on Thursday in Perth as part of the scheduled pre-match press conference ahead of Friday's ODI series opener against England.
The white-ball skipper spent most of the 12-minute press conference straight-batting questions about the 2018 tour he was part of - and Khawaja's explosive allegations.
The very first question put to Marsh was: "Did you know that sandpaper was being used to tamper with cricket balls in South Africa?"
"Jeez, you hit a six off the first ball there mate, well done," Marsh replied.
"I respect that certain people have told their stories, but I'm not here to share mine.
"I know that might sound weird, but it's a big week for us, and it's an important time for this one-day group.
"I really respect that Uzzy has told his story. He's written his book, and my focus is really on tomorrow."
Marsh was continually peppered about why he wasn't willing to answer questions on the topic.
"I've personally moved on," he said.
"I respect that others probably haven't, but I have, and I hope that's respected.
"This is my choice to not go back there. Who knows? Maybe I'll write a book one day."
Khawaja's autobiography has re-opened old wounds that now threaten the sport in Australia, according to retired paceman Mitchell Johnson.
"This is a s***-fight, and it’s not letting up any time soon," Johnson wrote in a column in The West Australian.
"Anyone around the game wants answers ... but I can’t be sure we’ll ever know.
"This is a complete mess. There are so many questions, and I’m confused why this has become so difficult.
"It’s ruining cricket in this country, if it hadn’t already."
Marsh insisted he didn't hold any grudges towards Khawaja.
"I respect Uzzy for telling his story and for writing his book, and I don't sit here coming from a place of judgment," Marsh said.
"Everyone's got their story. Some will be willing to share it, and others might not, purely on the basis of the fact that they've moved on.
"It's really important that at some stage we do."
Cummins and fellow current fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, and spinner Nathan Lyon, have previously denied knowledge of Australia taking sandpaper on to the Cape Town ground, with Starc reiterating that stance on Tuesday.
But the fallout from Khawaja's claims about the touring party all being aware of the illegal ploy shows no sign of abating, with Australia's former assistant coach Graeme Hick insisting they were "absolutely false".
The strong denial of Hick, Australia's batting coach on the 2018 South African tour, prompted David Warner to launch fresh barbs.
"Graeme Hick was only appointed because Cricket Australia was unwilling to pay Michael Di Venuto what he deserved," Warner posted on X.
Khawaja writes in his book how the team should have taken collective responsibility for the 2018 scandal, rather than great mate Warner, captain Steve Smith and inexperienced batsman Cameron Bancroft taking the blame and copping hefty bans.
Also on Thursday, Ian Healy fired back in his long-running feud with Khawaja.
Healy, the former Test wicketkeeper and Queensland Cricket's deputy chair, took exception with Khawaja's retelling of how and why he missed a Sheffield Shield game in 2025.
Healy claimed team medical staff told him at the time that Khawaja, who flew to Melbourne and attended the Formula One grand prix rather then padding up for Queensland, was not injured.
"It was a shame he does not support his team better than that," Healy said on SEN.
