MacGill explained on a YouTube show that he taped sandpaper to his thumb to scratch the ball after tea before tossing the material into a gutter. His comments coincide with the release of Usman Khawaja's memoir, 'Sabr', which brought fresh allegations regarding the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering scandal back into public focus. While Cricket Australia, former coach Darren Lehmann, and bowler Mitchell Starc maintain the wider team was unaware of the 2018 scheme, banned player David Warner endorsed Khawaja's claims.
Key points
MacGill claimed his use of sandpaper was an act of personal curiosity rather than an orga…: MacGill claimed his use of sandpaper was an act of personal curiosity rather than an organized squad cheating effort.
The fresh disclosures continue to raise doubts regarding whether ball-tampering tactics e…: The fresh disclosures continue to raise doubts regarding whether ball-tampering tactics extended beyond the three players sanctioned in 2018.
Key figures including Darren Lehmann and Mitchell Starc continue to deny having any prior…: Key figures including Darren Lehmann and Mitchell Starc continue to deny having any prior knowledge of the 2018 ball-tampering plan.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
The Sandpapergate controversy has resurfaced in Australian cricket, eight years after the 2018 scandal. Following fresh revelations by former Australia batter
Usman Khawaja in his memoir, 'Sabr', ex-leg-spinner
Stuart MacGill has now admitted to using sandpaper on the ball during his playing career.
MacGill, who played 44 Tests and three ODIs for Australia between 1998 and 2008, said he had used sandpaper on the ball but insisted that it was not part of a bigger plan to cheat.
His admission has added another twist to the Sandpapergate controversy, which took place during Australia's Test against South Africa in Cape Town in 2018. The incident had led to bans for three Australian players and remains one of the biggest controversies in Australian cricket.
MacGill reveals how he used sandpaper
Speaking to former Sydney Sixers teammates Steve O'Keefe and Moises Henriques on a FanaticsTV YouTube show, MacGill explained how he would attach a small piece of sandpaper to his thumb and use it to scratch the ball.
"I'd cut a small piece of sandpaper and tape it to my thumb," he said.…
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