{
  "id": 18780537,
  "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-18780537",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T20:10:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "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 renewed scrutiny of the 2018 sandpaper ball-tampering incident. Usman Khawaja revealed on Saturday that the entire squad was aware of the plot, for which Bancroft was suspended for nine months. Despite the controversy, Bancroft is set to play for Western Australia in the upcoming Sheffield Shield match at the MCG. Casson expressed confidence in Bancroft's maturity, stating that he will focus on his batting, leaving the past behind.",
  "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."
}