‘It was all of us’: Khawaja claims entire Australia squad knew about sandpaper ball-tampering plot
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Key Takeaways
- ›Usman Khawaja claims the entire Australian camp was aware of the sandpaper plot during the 2018 South Africa tour.
- ›Khawaja alleges sandpaper was discussed and used as early as the second Test in Port Elizabeth.
- ›Former coach Darren Lehmann denies personal knowledge or squad-wide awareness of sandpaper use.
- ›Cricket Australia maintains that only three players were identified as culpable in its official findings.
Former Australian Test batter Usman Khawaja has claimed that the entire Australian touring party was aware of the plot to use sandpaper to tamper with the ball during the 2018 tour of South Africa.
The revelation comes ahead of the release of Khawaja's autobiography, Sabr, in which he alleges that the method was openly discussed and deployed prior to Cameron Bancroft being caught on broadcast cameras during the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town.
Khawaja claims collective awareness in dressing room
According to Khawaja, the plan to alter the condition of the ball was not confined to the three players sanctioned by Cricket Australia. He revealed that discussions regarding the method took place during the second Test in Port Elizabeth.
“It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us,” Khawaja told Nine newspapers. He detailed that discussions in the St George's Park change room centred on discovering effective ways to rough up the ball, which ultimately led to the choice of sandpaper.
Following the incident in Cape Town, Cricket Australia handed 12-month bans to then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, while Bancroft received a nine-month suspension. Khawaja stated he had urged the playing group at the time to take collective responsibility rather than allowing individual players to shoulder the blame alone.
Darren Lehmann rejects widespread knowledge claims
Former Australia head coach Darren Lehmann, who stood down from his role following the Cape Town Test, rejected Khawaja's assertions that the entire camp had knowledge of the sandpaper plot.
Speaking on ABC Sport's Summer Grandstand, Lehmann stated he had no personal knowledge of sandpaper being used and doubted that the wider squad was aware.
“I don't think everyone would have known [about the use of sandpaper]. You do know ball tampering is going on because it's been happening for 150 years,” Lehmann said. He added that while ball tampering had historically been widespread across international cricket prior to that match, the Australian side paid a heavy price for their actions.
| Party | Key Claim | Position on Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Usman Khawaja | Plot discussed openly; sandpaper used before Cape Town | Believes entire touring group should have taken collective blame |
| Darren Lehmann | Denies team-wide sandpaper plot; says global tampering was common | Stood down as head coach; accepts heavy price was paid |
| Cricket Australia | Maintained official investigation findings | Restricted formal penalties to three individuals |
Cricket Australia stands by investigation process
In response to the claims published from Khawaja's book, Cricket Australia issued a statement noting that there had been ongoing opportunities over the past eight years for participants to present any relevant information regarding the tour.
The governing body's original investigation concluded that Smith, Warner, and Bancroft were the only team members with direct involvement or knowledge of the plan. While Khawaja's account challenges that narrative, differing recollections remain between key figures present in South Africa.
FAQ
What has Usman Khawaja claimed about the sandpaper scandal?
Khawaja claimed in his autobiography that the entire Australian playing group and staff were aware of the plan to use sandpaper on the ball during the 2018 tour of South Africa.
How did Darren Lehmann respond to Khawaja's statements?
Lehmann denied personal knowledge of sandpaper use and expressed doubt that the entire Australian camp was aware of the plot, though he acknowledged ball tampering had historically occurred across global cricket.
Which players were officially sanctioned for the Cape Town incident?
Cricket Australia suspended Steve Smith and David Warner for 12 months each, while Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month ban.
