{
  "id": 19315389,
  "title": "Khawaja denies starting 'witch hunt' over Sandpapergate claims",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/khawaja-denies-starting-witch-hunt-over-sandpapergate-claims",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-10T09:59:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-10/usman-khawaja-talks-sandpapergate-friendship-racism/107370242"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Australian Test player Usman Khawaja has refuted claims of orchestrating a witch hunt over the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, known as \"Sandpapergate.\" Khawaja appeared on 7.30 and maintained his stance on the matter, asserting that the team's accountability was the only course of action. Khawaja, along with his childhood friends David Warner, Steve Smith, and Cameron Bancroft, faced bans for their involvement in the ball-tampering incident. Starc, a former teammate, also denied knowledge of the tampering plans, aligning with Khawaja's previous statements. Despite potential damage to friendships with current Australian captain Pat Cummins, Khawaja emphasized his commitment to seeking accountability and told his truth.",
  "summary": "Usman Khawaja rejects claims he has reopened some of Australian crickets biggest wounds just to sell copies of his new book as he admits concerns it may have damaged friendships.",
  "key_points": [
    "Usman Khawaja denies orchestrating witch hunt over Sandpapergate",
    "Khawaja maintains accountability as only course of action",
    "Starc denies knowledge of tampering plans"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Khawaja’s ‘sandpapergate’ claims ‘100pc accurate’, says Warner",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/khawajas-sandpapergate-claims-100pc-accurate-says-warner",
        "published": "2026-11-10T05:17:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "'My recollection hasn’t changed from what we said in 2021': Starc rejects Khawaja's tampering claims",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/my-recollection-hasnt-changed-from-what-we-said-in-2021-starc-rejects",
        "published": "2026-11-10T09:33:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}