Cricket Australia Rules Out Fresh Ball-Tampering Inquiry Despite Khawaja’s Claims
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg ruled out reopening the 2018 ball-tampering investigation, despite explosive claims in Usman Khawaja’s new book Sabr that the entire team knew about the sandpaper plot in South Africa.
Khawaja alleged in the publication that more than just the three suspended players—Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft—were aware of the plan to alter the ball during the Cape Town Test. Greenberg dismissed the need for a fresh inquiry, stating that the board sees no compelling reason to revisit an event handled under previous leadership.
Greenberg stated that trying to second-guess past decisions through hindsight yields no benefit. Greenberg noted, We don’t see any compelling reason to open the investigation or revisit this again.
David Warner backed Khawaja’s account on Instagram, declaring the version of events 100 percent accurate while criticizing the original 2018 probe as rushed and botched. Meanwhile, Australia bowler Mitchell Starc pushed back against the narrative. Starc denied any prior knowledge of sandpaper being taken onto the field during the series.
Starc addressed the claims by maintaining the stance established in a joint statement issued by the bowlers in 2021. As far as our statement said, we weren’t aware of things being taken on the field, that’s where I’ll leave it,
Starc said.
Greenberg highlighted the fundamental divide in testimonies between squad members across the eight-year span. Greenberg told SEN radio that Usman’s version of events contradicts what others have maintained consistently since 2018.
Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood—the remaining members of the 2018 bowling attack—are expected to maintain their original positions. Cummins is scheduled to address the media in the coming weeks.
Australia white-ball captain Mitchell Marsh, who also played in the ‘Sandpapergate’ Test, is due to address the media.
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