David Warner has backed Usman Khawaja’s claim that Australia’s entire team knew about the 2018 ball-tampering plan, calling his comments ‘100 percent accurate’ and questioning Cricket Australia’s investigation.
IMAGE: Both David Warner and Usman Khawaja are seeking accountability and transparency regarding the incident, not to ‘point fingers’ or ‘open old wounds’. Photograph: Paul Childs/Reuters
Key Points
- David Warner confirmed Usman Khawaja’s claims that the entire Australian team knew about the 2018 ball-tampering plan were ‘100 percent accurate’.
- Warner criticised Cricket Australia’s investigation into ‘Sandpapergate’ as ‘rushed and botched’, highlighting that Khawaja was not interviewed despite being present.
- Cricket Australia has defended its 2018 probe, stating it remains comfortable with its findings that only Smith, Warner, and Bancroft had prior knowledge.
- The four Australian bowlers from the 2018 test (Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, Lyon) denied any knowledge of the plot in a 2021 joint statement.
David Warner said on Monday that former Australia teammate Usman Khawaja’s comments that the entire team had been aware of the plan to tamper with the ball during a 2018 tour of South Africa were “100 percent accurate”.
Warner and fellow batsmen Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft were banned over the plan to rough up the ball with sandpaper during the third test at Newlands in Cape Town.
Khawaja’s Revelations and Warner’s Support
In an excerpt of his autobiography released on Saturday, Khawaja said “open, lighthearted discussions” about tampering were not confined to batters, bowlers or staff but extended throughout the team. On Sunday, he added that he had chosen to speak about the ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal now after promising childhood friend Warner that he would share his side of the story.
In a video posted on Instagram, Warner thanked Khawaja and said Cricket Australia’s investigation into the incident was flawed. “This whole interview process was rushed and botched,” added Warner, who retired from international cricket in 2024. “Uzzie was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft. Uzzie was not interviewed. How is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me.”
Calls for Accountability and Transparency
Cricket Australia did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Warner said he and Khawaja were looking for accountability. “We’re not here to point fingers and we’re not opening old wounds,” added the 40-year-old. “It’s about accountability, transparency and ensuring the truth is properly examined and perhaps it’s time people stop scrutinising the person asking for accountability and start asking those responsible of the investigation to provide it.
“Now, there was a lot of statements and inaccuracies over the last eight years that were out in the media by people and there were a lot of people who stayed silent.”
Cricket Australia’s Stance
Last week, Cricket Australia (CA) defended its 2018 probe which concluded that prior knowledge of the plot was confined to Smith, Warner and Bancroft. “All relevant information presented to CA to date has been properly considered and we remain comfortable with the findings of our integrity process,” it said in a statement on Saturday. “There has been the ongoing opportunity to present any relevant information, and this remains the case.”
The four Australia bowlers who played in the 2018 test — Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon — issued a joint statement in 2021 denying any knowledge of the plot. Cummins, now the Australian test captain, said last month he had spoken with Khawaja about the upcoming release of his autobiography and dismissed suggestions that the book could trigger further fallout.
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