Fresh controversy has erupted surrounding the notorious 2018 Cape Town Test ball-tampering scandal after former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja claimed in his autobiography that multiple squad members were aware of the sandpaper plot. His assertions received backing from David Warner and Chad Sayers, yet Cricket Australia maintains that it has no intention of reopening an investigation.
Chief Executive Todd Greenberg stated that the organization remains satisfied with the findings from the initial inquiries and sees no compelling reason to launch a new probe. Speaking on the Australian radio station SEN, Greenberg noted significant discrepancies in the accounts provided by various individuals, suggesting that revisiting the matter would likely yield no new conclusions. He emphasized that the board prefers looking forward rather than dwelling on the past.
In his recently published autobiography titled ‘Sabar’, Khawaja dedicated a specific chapter to the sandpaper incident. He asserted that awareness of the plan to alter the ball during the South African tour extended beyond Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft to include other members of the team. He further alleged that sandpaper tampering had even been attempted during the match preceding the Cape Town Test.
Khawaja additionally complained that despite sitting right next to Cameron Bancroft throughout the Cape Town Test, he was never questioned during Cricket Australia’s primary investigation. David Warner subsequently offered direct support for Khawaja’s revelations, stating that everything written in the autobiography is entirely accurate.
