Cricket Australia (CA) has officially ruled out reopening its investigation into the 2018 “sandpapergate” ball-tampering scandal. The decision comes despite recent revelations from veteran batter Usman Khawaja and former teammate David Warner suggesting that knowledge of the plan was widespread within the squad. According to “But we have, We’re comfortable with the outcome of the investigation based on the information we’ve received,” he added. “That includes what we’ve seen from Usman, and our position hasn’t changed on that.
CA chief executive Todd Greenberg addressed the matter on Tuesday, stating that players held “very different views” regarding the events of the 2018 Test tour in South Africa compared to the account Khawaja detailed in his newly published autobiographySabr.
Speaking to local radio station SEN, Greenberg noted that specific details in Khawaja’s book contradict earlier statements provided by others. However, he reaffirmed that the governing body remains satisfied with the findings of its original inquiry based on the evidence collected.
Greenberg emphasized that Cricket Australia sees no compelling reason to revisit the matter or launch a fresh probe, adding that nothing further could be gained from re-examining the incident. The original 2018 investigation by CA resulted in bans and disciplinary sanctions for Warner, former captain Steve Smith, and batter Cameron Bancroft within four days of the Cape Town Test.
In excerpts from his autobiography published in Australian media, Khawaja revealed that open and lighthearted discussions took place throughout the team during the South Africa series regarding methods to alter the condition of the ball, including the use of sandpaper. He stated that these conversations were not restricted to specific groups or staff, writing that “it was all of us.”
Warner, who retired from international cricket over two years ago, voiced support for Khawaja’s account in a social media video on Monday. Warner described his former teammate’s recollections as 100 percent accurate while criticizing CA’s initial investigation as “botched” and “rushed.”
The four frontline Australian bowlers from the 2018 Cape Town Test—Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon—previously issued a joint statement in 2021 denying any prior knowledge of the ball-tampering plot. Current Test captain Cummins recently addressed the book’s release while in South Africa, stating he had spoken with Khawaja and was unconcerned about potential fallout, noting the issue had already been addressed repeatedly in the past. “Answered every question a million times.
Following commentary questioning the timing of his revelations eight years after the event and alleging commercial motives to boost book sales, Khawaja publicly dismissed the claims on social media on Tuesday, stating he is fortunate enough not to need the money.
