Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja has defended revelations in his autobiography, maintaining that he has not betrayed his former teammates by claiming the entire squad was aware of the 2018 ball-tampering plot in South Africa. The 39-year-old, who retired from international cricket earlier this year, stated that he made a commitment to childhood friend David Warner to reveal what happened during the Cape Town Test.
Attempts to Reveal the Truth
The scandal, widely known as “Sandpapergate,” saw Cameron Bancroft caught on camera using sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball during a Test match against South Africa eight years ago. Following an investigation, Cricket Australia banned Bancroft, Warner, and then-captain Steve Smith, maintaining that no other players were involved. In 2021, Australia’s main bowling unit—Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood—also issued a joint statement denying any knowledge of the plan.
In a video shared on Instagram, Khawaja rejected accusations of targeting his colleagues, arguing instead that Warner, Smith, and Bancroft unfairly absorbed the punishment for the squad. He explained that the trio endured public humiliation while protecting others who were present on the tour, adding that he wanted the group to take responsibility together so everyone could move past the issue.
Khawaja revealed that he initially sought to speak out immediately after the incident in 2018, but Smith persuaded him to stand down. He considered coming forward again in 2021 after Bancroft hinted in an interview that the bowlers were likely aware of the plot, but Khawaja decided against public conflict after the fast bowlers released their denial statement. Having retired from international duties, Khawaja noted that his statements no longer impact the active national squad, allowing him to express his personal perspective.
Bancroft Focuses on Playing Career
In his book, Khawaja also stated that Bancroft had volunteered to use sandpaper during the Port Elizabeth Test, which preceded the match in Cape Town. Bancroft has made only two Test appearances since serving his ban, both during the 2019 Ashes series, and recently acknowledged that a return to the international side is unlikely at this stage of his career.
Following a warm-up match where Bancroft scored 32 runs for Western Australia against England in Perth, state coach Beau Casson addressed the renewed media focus. Casson explained that Bancroft remains focused on his performances and is keen to move past the 2018 controversy by letting his play on the field speak for itself.
