Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja disputes findings in 2018 ball-tampering probe

Former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has claimed in his new autobiography that discussions about ball-tampering during the 2018 tour of South Africa were more widespread within the team than Cricket Australia’s investigation found. The "Sandpapergate" scandal, which involved Australia scuffing the ball with sandpaper in a March 2018 test in Cape Town, led to a major integrity crisis for Cricket Australia.

In his autobiography, published in the Sydney Morning Herald, Khawaja stated that open and lighthearted discussions about ways to scuff the ball, including using sandpaper, were held during the South Africa series involving not just batters and bowlers, but the entire team. Khawaja, who was cleared of wrongdoing in the probe, claimed that the allegations were not confined to just these players.

Cricket Australia, however, maintains its stance, stating that they have considered all relevant information presented to them and remain comfortable with their findings. The scandal led to bans and penalties for Smith, Warner, and Bancroft, while Khawaja announced his retirement shortly after. Despite the controversy, Australian captain Pat Cummins dismissed suggestions that Khawaja's autobiography could lead to further fallout.