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Who said what as Khawaja autobiography revives Sandpapergate
Usman Khawaja’s autobiography has renewed scrutiny of Australia’s 2018 ball-tampering scandal, with his claim that responsibility extended across the team prompting calls for a fresh investigation. Cricket Australia has rejected reopening the inquiry, saying it sees no compelling reason to revisit the findings.
At the time, captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were banned for a year, while Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month suspension; all later returned to Test cricket. The 2018 investigation said only those three knew in advance, while Khawaja said in 2026, “It was all of us”; Warner backed his account, but former coach Graeme Hick called the implication false, and captain Pat Cummins said he would respond after reviewing the allegations.
In short
- Khawaja’s book has reignited debate over the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
- He says responsibility extended beyond the three players punished.
- Cricket Australia says it will not reopen its investigation.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Khawaja’s claim, supported by Warner, gives reason to question whether the 2018 inquiry captured the full extent of team knowledge or responsibility. A fresh investigation could test the accounts against available evidence, clarify how the episode unfolded and help ensure accountability was not confined to a few players if others were involved.
The case against
The original inquiry concluded that only Smith, Warner and Bancroft knew of the plan, and Cricket Australia says there is no compelling reason to reopen it. Revisiting a settled disciplinary process on the basis of later, disputed claims could be unfair to those affected and risk undermining confidence in the findings without new corroborating evidence.
Explained simply
In 2018, during a Test match between Australia and South Africa, Australian player Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to alter the ball’s surface. This kind of ball tampering is against cricket’s rules because it can change how the ball moves through the air.
An investigation by Cricket Australia, the sport’s governing body in the country, found that captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner knew about the plan, alongside Bancroft. They were suspended, then later returned to Test cricket. The episode became known as “Sandpapergate” and raised questions about responsibility within the team and how cricket authorities deal with rule-breaking.