‘Nice deal of hypothesis’: Cricket Aus responds after Uzzie drops bombshell fresh sandpaper claims
Khawaja’s explosive Sandpapergate claim | 03:18
Fox Cricket from Fox SportsNovember seventh, 2026 10:44 pm
Cricket Australia has responded after Usman Khawaja made a bombshell claim that sandpaper was also used within the second Take a look at of the notorious 2018 South Africa sequence.
The previous Australian batter also made the gorgeous revelation that each touring get together member knew about the plan.
Khawaja made the eye-opening claims in his autobiography Sabr, which is ready for release on Tuesday.
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Throughout the third Take a look at in Cape Town against the Proteas eight years in the past, Cameron Bancroft was captured on digital camera utilizing yellow sandpaper to scuff the ball and gain reverse swing.
The scandal despatched shockwaves by Australian cricket, with then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner subsequently handed 12-month bans, whereas Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.
But Khawaja claims that the use of sandpaper was first discussed and utilized by the Australians through the earlier Take a look at in Port Elizabeth.
Lehmann denies half in sandpaper plot | 02:02
Cricket Australia’s subsequent investigation identified only three players – Bancroft, Warner and Smith – as being concerned within the scandal, with Smith discovered to have recognized of the plan, however failed to forestall it.
But Khawaja has revealed a different version of events.
“It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us,” Khawaja advised The Sydney Morning Herald.
He added: “In a really perfect world, I don’t want to do that … I don’t want to be the one who comes out and talks about the truth. The issue is that I genuinely thought after eight years the reality would have been out by now.
“Perhaps I assumed Davey would have uncovered it, or another person would have talked about it extra. I just didn’t suppose it was going to come all the way down to this. However the longer it’s gone on for, and proper from the very start, I’ve been on the prepare of collectively taking it.”
CA issued an official statement in response to the explosive revelations.
“There has been a great deal of hypothesis within the eight years for the reason that 2018 Cape Town Take a look at, together with extensive media protection all through final month’s sequence in South Africa,” the statement mentioned
“During this time there has been the continuing alternative to present any relevant data, and this remains the case.
“All relevant data presented to CA to date has been correctly considered, and we remain comfortable with the findings of our integrity course of.”
Former English cricketer Michael Vaughan was one to react on social media on Saturday.
Khawaja’s understanding contradicts a joint statement issued by Australia’s bowling quartet of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon in 2021, by which they denied understanding a foreign substance had been taken onto the sector to alter the ball’s situation.
“We pride ourselves on our honesty … We didn’t know a foreign substance was taken onto the sector to alter the situation of the ball until we saw the pictures on the big display at Newlands,” the statement learn.
Khawaja had previously alerted Cummins and Cricket Australia chief govt Todd Greenberg to the contents of his autobiography, with the Australian captain publicly declaring final month that the taking part in group had moved on from the scandal.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au
