Khawaja: Whole Australia team knew of sandpaper plot in 2018 Cape Town Test

Usman Khawaja has made a significant claim regarding Australian cricket history, stating that the entire 2018 team knew about the infamous sandpaper ball-tampering incident. According to the BBC News ^[1], the former opening batter stated in his new autobiography, Sabr, that the tactic was known among players and staff. "It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us," Khawaja told the Sydney Morning Herald.

The claim contradicts the long-standing narrative that only captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner, and batter Cameron Bancroft were aware of the plan during the Cape Town Test. Khawaja, speaking to Nine newspapers as reported by ABC News (AU) ^[2], said discussions began during the second Test in Port Elizabeth, where sandpaper was first used effectively. He wrote that Smith threw his hands in the air and said he didn't want to know about the discovery. "I said: 'Take this as a team. We did this as a team. We knew what was going on, and we have to take it as a team'," Khawaja wrote, noting that the three punished players deserved collective blame.

The four bowlers in that match—Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon—have consistently denied prior knowledge. In a 2021 joint statement, they insisted they saw no foreign substance until images appeared on the big screen at Newlands. They cited umpires Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth finding no damage to the ball after inspection. However, Bancroft had previously suggested bowlers likely knew, calling the idea they didn't "self-explanatory."

Khawaja expressed frustration that the truth took eight years to emerge. "I don't want to be the one who comes out and talks about the truth," he said. "The issue is that I genuinely thought after eight years the truth would have been out by now." He admitted the process was difficult, stating, "Everyone in that team, one way or another, was affected and we still are affected by that to this day."

Cricket Australia remains comfortable with its original investigation. A spokesperson told ABC News (AU) ^[2] that all relevant information presented to date had been properly considered. Current captain Pat Cummins, speaking on October 8, said he had no concerns about the revelations. "It's obviously a long time ago and all the investigations, everything was done back then and we answered every question a million times," Cummins said. He noted he had given Khawaja a heads-up about the book and told him, "Tell your story. It's fine."

Khawaja believes the scandal ultimately forced the team to find humility. He credited coach Justin Langer with restoring respect to the side. "The best things come out of the worst times. I genuinely believe, for the Australian cricket team, the best thing that came out of Sandpaper is we found humility again," Khawaja said. He reflected on the "win at all costs" era that began after the 2011 Argus Review, admitting the team had alienated opponents. "We just acted like idiots for the last seven years," he said. Despite the controversy, Khawaja framed his account as an act of justice for his teammates, insisting he is not doing it for personal gain but because "it's the right thing to do."