Former batter David Warner has backed his ex-teammate Usman Khawaja’s claims that the entire Australian team knew about using a sandpaper on the ball during the infamous ball-tampering episode on the 2018 tour of South Africa while fast bowler Mitchell Starc has denied it.
In his soon-to-be-released book ‘Sabr’, Khawaja has said that then captain Steve Smith, vice-captain Warner and young batter Cameron Bancroft were made scapegoats by the game’s administrators even though the entire team was aware of the plan to use sandpaper to alter the ball during the Cape Town Test against South Africa.
In addition to the one-year suspension from playing, Smith and Warner also copped leadership bans from Cricket Australia (CA).
‘100 per cent accurate’
“It’s 100 per cent accurate what you’ve said… It’s been eight years since I spoke on this topic. Uzzy, I throw my full support behind you. I thank you for what you’ve done,” Warner said in a video posted on his Instagram account on Monday (November 9).
Also read: Ball-tampering scandal: Khawaja claims ‘all of us’ knew of sandpaper use; CA
“Now everyone knows the truth. It’s out there. People wanted to know it. You’ve come out and said it. It’s been a tough time for my family (and), Steven and Cameron, no doubt. But this is what needed to come out. I fully support that, Uzzy,” he added.
Further, he said, “This isn’t about reopening old wounds. It’s about acknowledging that some wounds never properly healed,” Warner wrote. “I stand with my brother Usman Khawaja. Speaking your truth takes courage, especially when people would rather you stay silent. Time passing doesn’t replace accountability, and asking questions shouldn’t be mistaken for holding grudges.”
Starc rejects Khawaja’s claims
Starc, who was part of that team, however, rejected Khawaja’s claims.
“…I guess I won’t speak on behalf of the bowlers but where I stand, my opinion hasn’t changed, my recollection hasn’t changed from what we said in 2021,” Starc said referring to the joint statement he issued along with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, denying prior knowledge of the plan.
“That’s obviously in a book. That’s for someone to explain further. As far as our statement said in 2021, we weren’t aware of things being taken on the field. That’s what we will leave it for. I haven’t really paid much attention to be fair,” he added.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg on Tuesday ruled out reopening the investigation.
“We don’t see any compelling reason to open the investigation or revisit this again,” Greenberg told the SEN national sports radio network. “I don’t think there’s anything that can be gained from that.”