Australia doomed to live with stench of sandpapergate

Usman Khawaja’s autobiography has reignited debate about who knew of Australia’s 2018 ball-tampering plot, known as sandpapergate. He suggests responsibility extended beyond the three players punished, but names no one, leaving the long-running dispute unresolved.

Khawaja says he wants the team to accept collective accountability, and cites loyalty to childhood friend David Warner as part of his motivation. Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg says there is no compelling reason to reopen the investigation; former coach Darren Lehmann and bowler Mitchell Starc maintain their denials, while Chadd Sayers has supported Khawaja and Warner. The article notes that several players from the Cape Town squad could still speak publicly.