London: Former Australia opener David Warner has thrown his full support behind Usman Khawaja’s explosive revelations about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, describing the former batter’s claims as “100% accurate” and questioning the credibility of Cricket Australia’s investigation.
Warner’s comments come ahead of the release of Khawaja’s autobiography, Sabr, scheduled for publication on Tuesday. The book has reignited debate over the infamous Sandpapergate controversy, which rocked Australian cricket during the Cape Town Test against South Africa in March 2018.
Speaking through a video message on Instagram from Nepal, where he is currently participating in the Nepal Premier League, Warner said Khawaja deserved recognition for bringing his account of the controversy into the public domain.
After remaining largely silent on the issue for eight years, Warner publicly endorsed Khawaja’s version of events and questioned why the former Australian opener was never interviewed during Cricket Australia’s investigation.
“It’s been eight years since I’ve spoken on this topic and Uzzy, I throw my full support behind you. I thank you for what you’ve done. It’s 100% accurate what you’ve said,” Warner said.
Khawaja has made several significant claims in his autobiography, including that sandpaper was used on the ball during Australia’s Test against South Africa in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, before the infamous Cape Town encounter.
He has also suggested that knowledge of the ball-tampering plan extended beyond the three players who were eventually punished. Khawaja further revealed that he repeatedly urged the team to accept collective responsibility but was never questioned by investigators, despite being aware of the events surrounding the controversy.
Warner, who received a 12-month suspension alongside former captain Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft following the Newlands incident, described the investigation process as rushed and inadequate.
He particularly questioned the decision not to interview Khawaja, who was reportedly sitting alongside Bancroft in the dressing room.
“The whole interview process was rushed and botched. Uzzy was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft. Uzzy was not interviewed. How is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me,” Warner said.
The former Australia opener stressed that the renewed discussion should not be about targeting individuals but about establishing accountability and transparency over how the investigation was conducted.
According to Warner, the focus should now shift towards those responsible for examining the scandal rather than continuing to scrutinise players who have already faced years of public criticism.
He also acknowledged the personal difficulties the controversy had caused for his family. Warner revealed that he had taken several days before responding publicly because he wanted to explain the situation and the disturbing images from 2018 to his children.
He said he had used the episode to reinforce the importance of honesty, telling his daughters that the truth eventually emerges and that lying has consequences.
Warner concluded his message by reiterating his support for Khawaja, saying the revelations were necessary despite the difficult memories they brought back for everyone involved, including Smith and Bancroft.
Cricket Australia Stands by Its Investigation
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia has defended its original investigation into the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, maintaining that the findings of its integrity process remain valid.
In a statement issued over the weekend, the governing body said there had been considerable speculation and media coverage surrounding the incident over the past eight years but insisted that all relevant information presented to it had been properly examined.
Cricket Australia also maintained that individuals with relevant information continue to have an opportunity to present it.
The governing body’s response comes amid renewed scrutiny following Khawaja’s allegations. Although none of the senior executives involved in the original investigation remains in their previous positions, the controversy continues to attract attention because several players connected to the incident are still active in international cricket.
Khawaja’s book also discusses a conversation with Todd Greenberg, who was then leading the Australian Cricketers’ Association and is now Cricket Australia’s chief executive. The discussion took place in 2021, following Bancroft’s newspaper interview in which he suggested that the wider bowling group would have been aware of the ball-tampering incident.
The issue could attract further attention in the coming days, with Mitchell Starc scheduled to face the media at a commercial event on Tuesday, while Australia ODI captain Mitchell Marsh is expected to speak on Thursday ahead of the England series.
Eight years after one of the darkest episodes in Australian cricket, Khawaja’s revelations and Warner’s public endorsement have reopened questions about how much was known, who was held accountable and whether the original investigation told the complete story.
