Warner backs Khawaja's claims that entire Australian team knew of ball tampering

Summarised from 7 outlets · 8 reports · Updated 9 Nov, 11:09 · Archive

David Warner has said Usman Khawaja's account of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal is '100 per cent accurate'.

Usman Khawaja has claimed in his autobiography Sabr, released this week, that the entire Australian cricket team and coaching staff were aware of the ball-tampering scheme during the 2018 Test tour of South Africa. In a 21-page chapter titled 'Sandpaper', Khawaja wrote that he urged his teammates to accept collective responsibility for the incident. He told the Sydney Morning Herald: 'It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us.'

The ball tampering occurred during the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town, when television cameras caught Australian fielder Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper to help generate reverse swing. As a result, captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were banned for a year, while Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.

Warner, who retired from international cricket in 2024, broke his silence on the matter this week in a video statement posted on Instagram. He threw his full support behind Khawaja, saying: 'It's been eight years since I've spoken on this topic. And Ussie, I throw my full support behind you. It's 100 per cent accurate what you've said. Now everyone knows the truth.'

Warner also criticised the investigation conducted by Cricket Australia following the scandal. He said: 'This whole interview process was rushed and botched. Ussie was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft. Ussie was not interviewed. How is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me.' He added that he and Khawaja were seeking accountability but were 'not here to point fingers and we're not opening old wounds'.

Khawaja stated that he had chosen to speak about the scandal now after promising childhood friend Warner that he would share his side of the story. He also said there is more to tell beyond what is included in his book. Khawaja wrote that he was shocked not to be asked to provide evidence during Cricket Australia's investigation.

Until Khawaja's recent claims, nobody else involved in the tour had admitted culpability or knowledge of what happened. The bowling unit, including current Australia captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, released a statement in 2021 denying they knew anything about the illegal tactic.

One-day international captain Mitch Marsh and Test captain Pat Cummins are expected to face media questioning about the renewed controversy this week, as Australia prepares for a series against England marking the start of the Australian summer's international competition.

How it is being reported

• David Warner backs Usman Khawaja’s ‘Sandpapergate' claims: '100 per cent accurate'Warner said Khawaja’s claim that the entire Australia team and coaching staff knew of the ball-tampering plan was ‘100 per cent accurate’Independent Sport · 9 Nov, 10:45
• Usman Khawaja’s ‘Sandpapergate’ claims are ‘accurate’, says David Warner'We're not here to point fingers and we're not opening old wounds,' Australia's Warner said of himself and Khawaja.Al Jazeera · 9 Nov, 10:38
• ‘100 per cent accurate’ – David Warner backs Usman Khawaja’s sandpapergate revelationsUsman Khawaja’s recounting of ‘sandpapergate’ is ‘100 per cent accurate’, says David Warner (Picture: Instagram/Getty) David Warner has thanked Usman Khawaja for coming forward and recounting a ‘100 per cent accurate’ story of the ball-tampering scandal which has haunted Australian cricket for the…Metro · 9 Nov, 10:11
• Warner: Khawaja's Australia Sandpapergate claims '100 per cent accurate'David Warner has thrown his full support behind former Australia opener Usman Khawaja, who claimed that the side's entire dressing room knew about the ball-tampering scheme in Cape Town in 2018.Sky Sports · 9 Nov, 09:45
• Uzzi, thank you – David Warner backs Usman Khawaja’s ‘Sandpapergate’ claimsWarner said Khawaja’s claim that the entire Australia team and coaching staff knew of the ball-tampering plan was ‘100 per cent accurate’.Independent Sport · 9 Nov, 09:26
• Khawaja 100% accurate on ball-tampering - WarnerFormer Australia opener David Warner says that Usman Khawaja is "100% accurate" in his recounting of the national side's ball tampering in the 2018 series with South Africa.BBC News · 9 Nov, 08:23
• Breaking: Warner says Khawaja's ball-tampering claim '100 per cent accurate'David Warner throws his full support behind his childhood friend, Usman Khawaja, while slamming Cricket Australia's investigation into ball tampering.ABC News Australia · 9 Nov, 07:38
• Australian players prepare for fresh grilling after explosive ball tampering claims in Khawaja bookOne-day international captain Mitch Marsh will face media this week Red ball captain Pat Cummins also expected to face questioning There is still more to tell about Australian cricket’s ball-tampering controversy according to Usman Khawaja, beyond what is included in his book, as his former teammates steel themselves for their reckoning with a dismayed and disappointed cricket community. Khawaja wrote in his book Sabr, out on Tuesday, that he urged his teammates to accept collective responsibility for the incident in a 21-page chapter that has resuscitated calls for players – including Test…Guardian Sport · 9 Nov, 04:28

In this story: Usman Khawaja · David Warner · Cameron Bancroft · Steve Smith · Pat Cummins · Australia · South Africa · Cape Town

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