'I don't think..': Darren Lehmann denies Usman Khawaja's explosive claim
What's the story
Former Australia head coach Darren Lehmann has denied Usman Khawaja's claim that every member of the Australian team was aware of the use of sandpaper during the infamous ball-tampering incident at Newlands in the 2018 Test against South Africa. Lehmann, who resigned just before the last Test of that series, insisted he wasn't privy to any plans regarding sandpaper usage. He spoke to ABC Grandstand on Saturday, saying "I don't think everyone would have known."
Ball-tampering acknowledgment
'You do know ball-tampering is going on'
Lehmann admitted to the widespread practice of ball-tampering in international cricket until after the 2018 series against South Africa.
He said, "But you do know ball-tampering is going on because it's been happening for 150 years."
However, he stressed that he wasn't aware of any specific discussions about tampering during that second Test at Gqeberha.
Conversation denial
Lehmann denies other claims made by Khawaja
Lehmann also denied being the coach Khawaja claimed Cameron Bancroft was talking to just before images emerged on the third day of the Newlands Test.
He also couldn't recall a speech by Khawaja in the dressing room where he called for collective responsibility from the team.
Only Bancroft, Steven Smith, and David Warner were punished after a swift Cricket Australia (CA) investigation into this incident.
Autobiography impact
Khawaja's autobiography set to be released on Tuesday
The ball-tampering incident has resurfaced as Khawaja's autobiography, Sabr, is set to be released on Tuesday.
In an interview with Nine newspapers, he said, "It was all of us," explaining his decision to go public on the matter.
Lehmann confirmed he wasn't contacted by Khawaja before his claims were made public, unlike captain Pat Cummins and Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg, who were reached out to with limited details about what would be written in the book.
Emotional impact
Lehmann hints at writing a book
Lehmann admitted revisiting that period was difficult for him, saying he didn't leave his house for four months.
He said, "So, for me, it's a really touchy one mentally more than anything else."
He also hinted at possibly writing a book in the future but stressed that sometimes things are left unsaid for the greater good of cricket and its players.
Statement
What did Khawaja say?
"It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us," Khawaja told Nine.
Khawaja further stated that the truth should have been revealed much earlier.
"The issue is that I genuinely thought after eight years the truth would have been out by now.
Even in the change rooms when I was talking to them after the game. I said, 'Take this as a team'. We did this as a team. We knew what was going on, and we have to take it as a team, and so I was always of that stance.
Obviously, it didn't work that way, and those three guys got crucified."