Khawaja refuses to name Aussie ball tamperers

Usman Khawaja has declined to say whether specific Australian players knew about the 2018 ball-tampering against South Africa, saying he wants the team to accept collective responsibility rather than trigger a “witch hunt”. The discussion has drawn attention to his account of the scandal as he promotes his autobiography.

His publisher, Penguin, said the book tour is continuing with schedule adjustments, rejecting reports that several appearances were cancelled. Captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were banned after the scandal; Cricket Australia found the bowling attack was unaware, and Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc later said they did not know a foreign substance had been taken on to the field. Warner has backed Khawaja’s account, while Khawaja refused to answer whether Cummins knew.