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Khawaja denies throwing ‘anyone under the bus’ with comments about ball-tampering scandal
Usman Khawaja has denied that comments in an autobiography excerpt blamed other players for Australia’s 2018 ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. He says he wants the team, himself included, to accept shared responsibility and move on.
The scandal, known as “Sandpapergate”, followed the use of sandpaper to scuff the ball during a Test in Cape Town. Captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were the only players banned, though Khawaja says they took the blame for the team and deserve justice. Australia’s recent return to South Africa, where they lost a three-Test series 2-1, renewed discussion of the affair.
In short
- Khawaja says he did not blame other players for Sandpapergate.
- He argues the team should share responsibility for the scandal.
- Smith, Warner and Bancroft were the only players banned.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Khawaja’s call for shared responsibility recognises that a serious breach of team conduct can reflect wider cultural and leadership failures, even when only a few players carried out the act. Revisiting those failures may help the team learn and ensure Smith, Warner and Bancroft are not left to bear a burden others also shared.
The case against
The players who used the sandpaper, and those with direct knowledge or authority, had distinct responsibilities that should not be blurred into collective blame. Reopening the affair through autobiographical comments may also prolong scrutiny of those already punished, rather than helping the team move on.