Former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has withdrawn from some interviews promoting his autobiography, Sabr, following criticism over his comments about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
The controversy has once again brought the infamous Sandpapergate incident into the spotlight.
The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) has appealed to people to stop online abuse and personal attacks against the players involved.
2. Khawaja’s Allegations in His Autobiography
Khawaja’s autobiography Sabr was released on November 10, 2026.
In the book, he claimed that the entire Australian team knew about the plan to use sandpaper to change the condition of the cricket ball.
He argued that former captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were made scapegoats by cricket authorities.
According to Khawaja, the responsibility for the incident was not limited to these three players.
3. Sandpapergate Controversy
The controversy relates to the 2018 Test match between Australia and South Africa in Cape Town.
During the match, Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to alter the ball’s condition.
Steve Smith and David Warner faced serious consequences for their involvement.
Both Smith and Warner received one-year suspensions and leadership bans from Cricket Australia.
The incident became one of the biggest controversies in Australian cricket history.
4. Mitchell Starc Rejects Khawaja’s Claims
Former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc rejected Khawaja’s allegations.
He maintained that the bowlers were not aware of the ball-tampering plan.
Starc also repeated his earlier position from 2021.
Khawaja faced difficult questions during an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), particularly about whether Pat Cummins and other senior bowlers knew about the incident.
5. Australian Cricketers’ Association’s Response
ACA chief executive Paul Marsh urged everyone to stop personal attacks against the players.
He said that Smith, Warner and Bancroft had already paid a heavy professional and personal price.
The association recognised that different players could have different memories and opinions about the incident.
It also confirmed that it was supporting all players and their families.
6. Warner Supports Khawaja
Former Australian opener David Warner supported Khawaja.
He urged Cricket Australia to reopen the investigation into the 2018 incident.
Warner described the original investigation as rushed and poorly conducted.
7. Conclusion
The controversy highlights continuing disagreements among former Australian players over the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
While Khawaja wants to share his personal experiences through his autobiography, the ACA has called for respect and an end to online harassment.
The incident shows the importance of transparency, accountability and mutual respect in international cricket.
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