Usman Khawaja’s ‘Sandpapergate’ claims are ‘accurate’, says David Warner

What the report says

Former Australia opener David Warner has publicly backed fellow cricketer Usman Khawaja’s recent remarks about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal known as “Sandpapergate,” saying Khawaja’s claims were accurate. In a social media post on Monday, Warner supported Khawaja’s suggestion that knowledge of the plot was more widespread within the team than Cricket Australia concluded at the time.

The dispute centres on Australia’s tour of South Africa in 2018, when Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft were sanctioned over plans to rough up the ball during the third Test in Cape Town. According to the Al Jazeera report, Warner said the earlier Cricket Australia inquiry was rushed and incomplete, arguing that Khawaja was not interviewed despite sitting near Bancroft during the tour. Warner, who retired from international cricket in 2024, said he was seeking accountability and transparency rather than reopening old wounds.

Khawaja raised the issue in an excerpt from his autobiography, saying discussions about tampering were not limited to a few players. He later said he had spoken out now after promising Warner he would tell his side of the story. Cricket Australia has not responded to Warner’s latest comments, but last week it defended its original investigation and said it remained comfortable with its findings.

The controversy still carries significance because it continues to shape debate over how cricket authorities handled one of the sport’s most damaging scandals. Some current Australia players previously denied knowing about the plan, and captain Pat Cummins recently said he had discussed the book with Khawaja but did not expect further fallout.