Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja disputes findings in 2018 ball-tampering probe

SYDNEY Former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja said in a new autobiography excerpted on Saturday (November 7, 2026) that ​discussions about ball-tampering during Australia's 2018 tour of South Africa ‌were more widespread within the team than Cricket ​Australia's investigation found. https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/usman-khawaja-gives-us-another-reason-to-admire-him/article71631555.ece The "Sandpapergate" scandal over Australia's scuffing ⁠of the ball with sandpaper in the March 2018 test in Cape Town sparked a major integrity crisis for Cricket ‌Australia.

In a statement on Saturday (November 7), the governing body defended its 2018 probe that concluded prior knowledge ‌was confined to three players — Steve Smith, David ‌Warner ⁠and Cameron Bancroft. Khawaja, in extracts of his ⁠autobiography published in the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday (November 7), claimed "open, lighthearted discussions" were held during the South Africa series about ways to ​scuff up the ball, ‌including by using sandpaper.