{
  "id": 18780287,
  "title": "Coach says Bancroft will 'let bat do the talking' after Khawaja bombshell",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/coach-says-bancroft-will-let-bat-do-the-talking-after-khawaja",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T20:10:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News",
    "slug": "abc-news",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-08/cameron-bancroft-backed-to-keep-calm-after-sandpaper-revel/107360442"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Western Australia coach Beau Casson has praised Cameron Bancroft's professionalism following the recent revelation about the 2018 sandpaper ball-tampering incident. Usman Khawaja disclosed that the entire squad was aware of the plot, but only three players were found guilty: Bancroft, David Warner, and Steve Smith. Bancroft was banned for nine months, while Warner and Smith received a year-long ban. Despite this, Khawaja urged the team to take collective responsibility instead of singling out the three individuals. Western Australia will face Victoria in a Sheffield Shield match at the MCG on Wednesday.",
  "summary": "Usman Khawaja's bombshell claims about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal have sent shock waves through Australian cricket, casting doubt on exactly who knew what.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Usman Khawaja remained silent for eight years. Why did he speak out now?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/usman-khawaja-remained-silent-for-eight-years-why-did-he-speak-out-now-18642466",
        "published": "2026-11-07T05:09:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Usman Khawaja remained silent for eight years. Why did he speak out now?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/usman-khawaja-remained-silent-for-eight-years-why-did-he-speak-out-now",
        "published": "2026-11-07T05:09:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Usman Khawaja drops bombshell: Entire Australia team knew about 2018 Sandpapergate cheating scandal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/usman-khawaja-drops-bombshell-entire-australia-team-knew-about-2018",
        "published": "2026-11-07T06:01:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Usman Khawaja challenges Australia’s 2018 ball-tampering findings",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/usman-khawaja-challenges-australias-2018-ball-tampering-findings",
        "published": "2026-11-07T13:16:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}