Khawaja declines to confirm if Australia’s bowlers were aware of sandpaper plot

Usman Khawaja declined to say whether Australia’s bowlers knew about the 2018 ball-tampering plan in South Africa, saying he did not want to target former teammates and wanted the whole team to take responsibility. The issue has returned to public debate after claims in his new autobiography, while Cricket Australia’s chief executive has ruled out another investigation.

Khawaja said knowledge of the plan was not limited to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who were sanctioned after the scandal. Mitchell Starc denied prior knowledge, while Warner backed Khawaja’s account; captain Pat Cummins has said he is unconcerned about the book. Australian media reported that Khawaja cancelled promotional interviews after the awkward television exchange, as newspapers and a cricket culture investigator renewed calls for scrutiny.