Sandpaper scandal resurfaces as Khawaja claims wider team knowledge

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 11 Nov, 13:33 · Archive

Usman Khawaja has alleged in his autobiography that the entire Australian cricket team knew of ball-tampering in South Africa eight years ago.

Usman Khawaja has alleged in his autobiography, released this week, that the entire Australian cricket team knew of ball-tampering during a Test in South Africa eight years ago. This contradicts Cricket Australia's official narrative that only a small group of players were involved in what became known as 'Sandpaper-gate'.

After the scandal broke, Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months after being filmed tampering with the ball. Captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner received 12-month bans, with Smith also banned from the captaincy for at least two years and Warner told he would never captain Australia again.

Khawaja claimed the tampering extended to an earlier Test in Port Elizabeth. 'It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us,' he told the Herald. David Warner supported this account, saying 'Now everyone knows the truth. It's out there.'

However, Mitchell Starc, the first current player to comment, has denied the allegations. He said his recollection had not changed over time and that fellow bowlers knew nothing about the sandpaper use.

Meanwhile, Australia are preparing for a one-day international series against England beginning Friday at Optus Stadium. Fast bowler Xavier Bartlett said the team would not be distracted by the renewed scandal, noting that many current squad members were not part of the 2018 tour and that the group has focused on cricket preparations since assembling this week.

How it is being reported

• Inexperienced but ready: Australia brace for EnglandXavier Bartlett is set to be given a huge opportunity with the ball when he leads an inexperienced Australian attack against England in the upcoming ODI series.Perth Now · 11 Nov, 07:39
• Inexperienced but ready: Australia brace for EnglandXavier Bartlett is set to be given a huge opportunity with the ball when he leads an inexperienced Australian attack against England in the upcoming ODI series.The West Australian · 11 Nov, 07:39
• Australian bowler Xavier Bartlett says team won’t be distracted by fresh sandpaper dramaXavier Bartlett is confident the reignition of the sandpaper scandal will not overshadow Australia’s side’s one-day international series against England.The West Australian · 11 Nov, 07:17
• Cricket Australia must get to the bottom of what happened in South AfricaSandpapergate, the scandal that shattered Australian cricket eight years ago, refuses to go away.WAtoday · 11 Nov, 04:59

In this story: Usman Khawaja · Steve Smith · David Warner · Cameron Bancroft · Mitchell Starc · Xavier Bartlett · Cricket Australia · South Africa

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log