Joe Root refuses to speculate on Australia's Sandpapergate scandal

Joe Root has played down suggestions that ball-tampering was widespread in international cricket when Australia's Sandpapergate scandal rocked the sport in 2018.

The England batter was responding to claims made by former Australia opener Usman Khawaja in his new autobiography, Sabr, in which he alleged that the entire team knew about the plan to use sandpaper during the Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera attempting to alter the condition of the ball, while Steve Smith and David Warner were also handed suspensions following the incident.

Asked whether ball-tampering was common across international cricket at the time, Root said: "I can only speak from my own experiences, that's not how I feel."

The 35-year-old refused to comment further on Australia's allegations, insisting he was not part of their dressing room and did not know what had happened.

Root is currently in Australia with England ahead of a three-match ODI series, which begins in Perth on Friday.