Excerpts from Usman Khawaja's new book assert that informal discussions about using sandpaper on the ball took place across the team during the 2018 tour of South Africa. The original integrity probe had concluded that knowledge of the plan was confined entirely to Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft. Although head coach Darren Lehmann stepped down after being cleared alongside other squad members, Khawaja claims awareness was widespread throughout the camp. In response, Cricket Australia reaffirmed its comfort with the initial findings while noting that pathways remain open for any new information.
Key points
Khawaja's account directly challenges the official narrative that ball-tampering knowledg…: Khawaja's account directly challenges the official narrative that ball-tampering knowledge was isolated to just three individuals.
Current captain Pat Cummins previously downplayed concerns that the autobiography's relea…: Current captain Pat Cummins previously downplayed concerns that the autobiography's release would trigger fresh controversy for the team.
The governing body confirmed that players and staff still retain the ability to submit ne…: The governing body confirmed that players and staff still retain the ability to submit new evidence regarding the Cape Town incident.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Former Australia batter
Usman Khawaja has made fresh revelations about the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal, claiming that discussions about altering the ball were far more widespread within the team than Cricket Australia's investigation established.
In excerpts from his upcoming autobiography published by the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday, Khawaja alleged that conversations about ball-tampering took place openly during Australia's 2018 tour of South Africa. He claimed players discussed different ways of roughing up the ball, including using sandpaper, in what he described as "open, lighthearted discussions".
The former top-order batter further suggested that the conversations were not restricted to a particular group within the dressing room, insisting that players across different departments and support staff were aware of them.
"It was all of us," Khawaja said in the book, according to the newspaper.
The revelations have raised fresh questions about the findings of Cricket Australia's investigation into the scandal, which erupted during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town in March 2018.
The controversy, widely known as 'Sandpapergate', triggered one of the biggest integrity crises in Australian cricket…
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