{
  "id": 18621205,
  "title": "‘It was all of us’: Khawaja drops bombshell on Australia's ball-tampering scandal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/it-was-all-of-us-khawaja-drops-bombshell-on-australias-ball-tampering",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-07T02:10:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/it-was-all-of-us-usman-khawaja-drops-bombshell-on-australias-2018-ball-tampering-scandal/articleshow/135624340.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has disclosed that discussions about ball-tampering during the 2018 South Africa tour were far more extensive within the team than initially investigated by Cricket Australia. In his upcoming autobiography, Khawaja stated that players engaged in \"open, lighthearted discussions\" about various methods to rough up the ball, including the use of sandpaper, during their 2018 tour of South Africa. Khawaja insisted that these conversations were not limited to a select group within the team, but rather included players from various departments and support staff. The former Test batter emphasized that everyone involved was aware of the plan, stating, \"It was all of us,\" according to the Sydney Morning Herald. These revelations have reignited questions about Cricket Australia's initial investigation, which concluded that only three players - Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft - were privy to the plan. However, Khawaja, who has since retired from international cricket, was cleared of any wrongdoing during the investigation. Cricket Australia has defended its findings, maintaining that the evidence presented to them supported the conclusion that only the three players were involved. The organization emphasized its willingness to consider any additional information provided by individuals.",
  "summary": "Usman Khawaja has shed light on the extent of discussions regarding ball tampering among Australian cricketers. He revealed that these conversations were not only prevalent but also conducted openly during their contentious 2018 tour in South Africa. This revelation casts doubt on the integrity of Cricket Australia's previous investigation, which insists it considered all pertinent information…",
  "key_points": [
    "Conversations included players from various departments and support staff, not just select group",
    "Khawaja cleared of wrongdoing, Cricket Australia defends initial investigation findings"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Cricket Australia responds to explosive Khawaja claims",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/cricket-australia-responds-to-explosive-khawaja-claims-18601413",
        "published": "2026-11-06T23:57:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Cricket Australia responds to explosive Khawaja claims",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/cricket-australia-responds-to-explosive-khawaja-claims",
        "published": "2026-11-06T23:57:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}