Former Australia Test opener Usman Khawaja has claimed that the entire touring squad was aware of the ball-tampering plot during the controversial 2018 tour of South Africa. His revelations directly challenge the long-standing official narrative regarding the notorious incident.
Writing in his upcoming autobiography Sabr, Khawaja stated that the entire dressing room, including batters, bowlers and support staff, knew about the plan to use sandpaper on the ball. The explosive claims come nearly eight years after the scandal during the third Test in Cape Town.
Following the 2018 incident, Cricket Australia conducted an investigation that resulted in sanctions for only three players. Captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were handed 12-month suspensions, while Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month ban for handling the sandpaper on the field.
Khawaja asserted that the responsibility should have been shared collectively rather than falling solely on the trio. He said that he had urged his team-mates in the dressing room after the match to take the blame as a team because everyone knew what was happening.
The retired batter revealed that discussions regarding ball tampering had already taken place during the second Test in Port Elizabeth. According to Khawaja, Bancroft had volunteered to use sandpaper on the ball during that match before the scheme came to light in Cape Town.
Khawaja added that Steve Smith had walked away from the initial discussions in the dressing room at Port Elizabeth, appearing to indicate that he did not want to be involved. Despite playing in the Cape Town Test, Khawaja expressed surprise that he was never called upon to give evidence during the original investigation.
Cricket Australia responded to the publication extracts by maintaining confidence in its initial findings. A spokesperson stated that all relevant information presented at the time was properly considered and that the governing body remains comfortable with the integrity process.
Australia Test captain Pat Cummins previously confirmed that Khawaja had informed him about the book prior to its release. Cummins stated that the matter was thoroughly dealt with years ago and that the team had moved on from the episode.
In 2021, bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon issued a joint statement denying any prior knowledge of the tampering scheme. Bancroft had earlier suggested in an interview that the involvement of the bowling attack was self-explanatory.
Khawaja noted that despite the turmoil, the scandal ultimately helped the Australian team rediscover its humility under subsequent coach Justin Langer. He dedicated the chapter on the incident to Bancroft, Warner and Smith, expressing regret that the three players shouldered the full punishment.
Khawaja retired from international cricket following Australia's Ashes series against England last winter, finishing a career that spanned 88 Test matches. Sabr is scheduled for release on Tuesday.
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