'Entire Australian team knew about sandpaper incident': Khawaja's explosive claims
What's the story
Usman Khawaja has claimed that the entire Australian cricket team was involved in the infamous sandpaper incident in 2018. He said that the whole squad knew about sandpaper being used on the ball during the Gqeberha Test before Cape Town. The revelation comes ahead of his autobiography, "Sabr," which is set to be published on Tuesday.
Contradiction
Warner, Smith, and Bancroft faced bans
Khawaja's claims contradict the long-held public narrative that only Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were involved in the incident.
The trio faced bans from international and domestic cricket for their roles.
Warner was also banned from holding any leadership positions in international and Australian domestic cricket for life.
However, this ban was overturned in 2024, allowing him to captain Sydney Thunder in the BBL.
Accountability
I didn't want to do this: Khawaja
"It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us," Khawaja told Nine.
The veteran further said he didn't want to be the one revealing the truth but felt an obligation to do so.
He said, "In an ideal world, I don't want to do this. I don't want to be the one who comes out and talks about the truth."
The Australian cricketer also revealed that he was never interviewed by Cricket Australia (CA) about the incident despite sitting next to Bancroft in the dressing room during that Test match.
Stance
Khawaja's stance on the matter
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."
Defense
CA defends its integrity process
In response to Khawaja's claims, CA defended its integrity process for the entire incident.
CA said, "There has been a great deal of speculation in the eight years since the 2018 Cape Town Test, including extensive media coverage throughout last month's series in South Africa."
The statement added that all relevant information presented to CA has been properly considered and they remain comfortable with their findings.