England National Cricket Team’s Test captain Joe Root has refused to get involved in the fresh ball-tampering controversy surrounding Australian cricket. Joe Root was questioned about Usman Khawaja's explosive claims in his new autobiography, which have brought the 2018 sandpaper scandal back into the spotlight.

However, Root has made it clear that England are not interested in discussing matters involving their rivals ahead of their three-match ODI series against Australia, starting on November 13 in Perth. Read Also: Stuart MacGill breaks silence on Australia's ball-tampering culture.

Joe Root shuts down questions on Australia's Sandpaper scandal ahead of ODI series

Speaking to the media ahead of the first ODI between Australia and England on Friday, Joe Root was asked about Usman Khawaja's latest revelations on the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. The 35-year-old refused to give his opinion, and they have no idea about the fresh controversy.

Root also pointed out that the England national cricket team are fully focused on the upcoming three-match ODI series rather than the controversy surrounding Australia. He also denied that England had ever used illegal methods to change the condition of the ball during his career.

Joe Root told media, as reported by Nine, "Ah, no. In terms of everything that’s happening or came out in the last little while, we obviously have no idea, and it’s all speculation. Our focus and our concerns are on this three-match series.”

Did England ever tamper with the ball? Joe Root refuses to get dragged into Australia's Sandpaper controversy

Recently, Khawaja claimed that the entire Australian team knew about the plan behind the ball-tempering scandal in Cape Town in 2018. The England batter was also asked whether he knew about the 2018 ball-tampering incident, which took place just months after his first Ashes series as captain.

Root said, “I wasn’t in that dressing room; I don’t know what went on. I don’t want to speculate, and as I said, my focus is with this team right now.”

When asked about whether England had ever tampered with the ball illegally during his long international career, Root denied having such an experience. He said, "I can only speak from my own experiences, and that’s not how I feel, no.”

England's media manager then stepped in and asked reporters to stop asking further questions about the ball-tampering controversy as they are gearing up for the crucial ODI series.

Joe Root set to create special memory in Australia

Meanwhile, Joe Root is set to play his 200th ODI at Optus Stadium in Perth. The experienced batter called the occasion a special moment, as playing his milestone game in Australia is a matter of pride. Interestingly, he had also played his 100th ODI in Sydney, making the milestone even more memorable.

Root added, “I played my 100th ODI here in Sydney, and to be back here for my 200th game is obviously a huge privilege. As a kid playing in the back garden or on the driveway ... to then get the opportunity to come all around the world is a real privilege. I’m very proud of that, and hopefully, we can continue our development as a team over the next little while.”

He also praised England's preparation ahead of the white-ball series. Root signed off by saying, “We’ve had a brilliant little time leading into this white-ball series, and in 50-over cricket, you don’t really get the preparation phase that we’ve managed to have here, which has been great.”