Usman Khawaja alleges entire Australian team knew of 2018 ball-tampering

Former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has made explosive allegations in his upcoming autobiography, “Sabr,” claiming that the entire Australian cricket team and coaching staff were aware of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal during their tour of South Africa. Khawaja asserts that the illegal use of sandpaper to scuff the ball was not limited to the infamous Cape Town Test, but was also employed during the preceding Test match in Gqeberha.

Khawaja claims that discussions regarding altering the ball were widespread among batters, bowlers, and support staff. He argued that the three players sanctioned at the time—Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft—unfairly carried the burden of the scandal while the rest of the squad failed to accept collective responsibility. He also alleged that Cricket Australia never interviewed him during their original 2018 investigation, despite him sitting next to Bancroft during the match.

Cricket Australia has defended its original integrity process, stating it remains “comfortable” with its findings, which concluded that only Smith, Warner, and Bancroft had prior knowledge. Former head coach Darren Lehmann has also denied that there was widespread knowledge of the plot. Current Australian captain Pat Cummins and other senior players have previously denied involvement in the scheme.