{
  "id": 19620762,
  "title": "Who said what as Khawaja autobiography revives Sandpapergate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/who-said-what-as-khawaja-autobiography-revives-sandpapergate-19620762",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-12T07:20:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40448566/who-said-what-as-khawaja-autobiography-revives-sandpapergate"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the wake of Usman Khawaja's autobiography, \"Sabr,\" there has been renewed discussion about the 2018 ball-tampering incident during the third test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town. During that test, Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for a year for bringing the game into disrepute, while Cameron Bancroft, who had placed sandpaper on the field, received a nine-month suspension. All three players accepted their punishments and later returned to test cricket. Here are some of the key quotes on the matter since 2018:\n\nIn 2018, Cricket Australia's CEO Michael Clare stated that only the three players, Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft, had prior knowledge of the ball-tampering. He also confirmed that coach Darren Lehmann, despite some inaccurate media reports, had not resigned from his position.\n\nIn 2021, Cameron Bancroft told the Guardian that he acted responsibly and was accountable for his actions. He also mentioned that the incident benefited the bowlers and raised awareness about the issue.\n\nAlso in 2021, a statement was released on behalf of bowlers Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, andathan Lyon. They expressed disappointment at the ongoing questioning of their integrity and requested an end to the rumour-mongering. They emphasized that they had only learned about the foreign substance being taken onto the field after seeing the images on the big screen at Newlands.\n\nIn 2026, Usman Khawaja, a member of the 2018 team, told nine media that it was all of them, not just the batters, bowlers, or support staff, who were responsible for the ball-tampering incident.\n\nFormer Australia coach Darren Lehmann, speaking on ABC on Saturday in 2026, suggested that not everyone would have known about the ball tampering, as it had been happening for 150 years. He emphasized that the extent of its knowledge was an individual case-by-case matter.\n\nDavid Warner, in an Instagram video in 2026, expressed his support for Khawaja and acknowledged the accuracy of his account. He stated that now the truth was out there.\n\nIn 2026, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg told a radio station that there was no compelling reason to reopen the investigation or revisit the incident. He felt that no new information could be gained from reopening the case and that the CA board was comfortable with the investigation's outcome based on the information received.\n\nAlso in 2026, Mitchell Starc told reporters that his opinion had not changed since 2021. He maintained his recollection of the events from that time.\n\nFormer Australian batting coach Graeme Hick, speaking to nine media in 2026, said that Khawaja's implication was absolutely false. He firmly stated that he and the rest of the team did not know or hear anything about the ball-tampering incident in Cape Town.\n\nIn 2026, Australia test captain Steve Cummins, in a tweet, expressed openness to speaking with any media about the events of this week. He mentioned that he had taken time to better understand the long list and full extent of Khawaja's allegations to respond properly.",
  "summary": "SYDNEY: Former Australia batsman Usman Khawaja’s new autobiography “Sabr” has triggered calls for another investigation into the 2018 ball-tampering incident in the third test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town. Steve Smith and David Warner, the then Australia captain and vice-captain, were banned by Cricket Australia from elite cricket for a year for bringing the game into disrepute…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}