I haven’t thrown anyone under the bus – Khawaja

Usman Khawaja says his claim that Australia’s whole team should share responsibility for the 2018 sandpaper scandal was not an attempt to blame or speak for individual players. He says the episode’s consequences fell on three players, while responsibility belonged to the wider team and set-up.

In videos posted on Instagram, Khawaja said he would not deny that everyone knew about the plan to alter the ball, though other players have denied knowledge. Four bowlers still in the Australia team said in a 2021 statement they did not know a foreign substance had been taken onto the field; former coach Darren Lehmann has also disputed Khawaja’s claim. Cricket Australia says it remains comfortable with its investigation’s findings and has not indicated plans to reopen it.