# Australian cricket’s sandpapergate is back – and it cuts deep in a ‘nation of good sports’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/australian-crickets-sandpapergate-is-back-and-it-cuts-deep-in-a-nation-of-good-sports/
- Published: 2026-11-13T08:20:28+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T21:06:35+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC World (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6702z750zvyo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Cricket, Sport, World

## Key points

- Khawaja’s memoir has revived the 2018 sandpaper scandal.
- He alleges the whole Australian team knew of the plan.
- Cricket Australia says it will not reopen its investigation.

## Summary

Usman Khawaja’s new memoir has reignited scrutiny of Australia’s 2018 ball-tampering scandal, alleging the whole team knew about a plan to use sandpaper during a Test against South Africa. The claims have prompted speculation about senior players, including current captain Pat Cummins, and reopened a painful episode for Australian cricket.

Khawaja says he wanted the team to accept collective responsibility, but has not identified who knew what. Cummins spent more than an hour answering reporters’ questions and denied the rumours about his involvement; David Warner said Khawaja had told the truth, while Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft have yet to comment publicly. Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has ruled out reopening the investigation, despite calls to do so.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.