The controversial 2018 Australian ball-tampering scandal, widely known as Sandpapergate, has returned to the headlines after former Australian batter Usman Khawaja made fresh revelations in his autobiography, Sabr.
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has responded to Khawaja’s claims, maintaining that his understanding of the incident has not changed since his previous statement in 2021.
Khawaja’s Explosive Revelations
In his new autobiography, Khawaja claimed that the ball-tampering controversy during Australia’s 2018 tour of South Africa involved more members of the team than previously acknowledged.
According to Khawaja, the incident was not simply the responsibility of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. He argued that the entire team shared responsibility and that the three players should not have been left to carry the blame alone.
Khawaja also alleged that sandpaper had been used during the second Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth, before the incident became public during the Cape Town Test.
Starc Rejects the Claims
Responding to the allegations, Mitchell Starc said that his recollection of the events remained unchanged.
He maintained that he and the other Australian bowlers were unaware that a foreign substance had been taken onto the field to alter the condition of the cricket ball.
Starc also said that Khawaja’s claim about the alleged use of sandpaper during the Port Elizabeth Test was the first time he had heard of such an incident.
He referred to the joint statement issued in 2021 by himself, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, in which the bowlers denied prior knowledge of the ball-tampering activity.
David Warner Supports Khawaja
Former Australian opener David Warner has publicly supported Khawaja’s version of events, describing his claims as 100 per cent accurate.
Warner also questioned the original investigation conducted by Cricket Australia, suggesting that it was rushed and incomplete.
His support has added another dimension to the controversy, creating renewed debate about what really happened during Australia’s 2018 tour of South Africa.
Cricket Australia Rules Out a New Investigation
Despite the renewed controversy, Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has indicated that the organisation has no plans to reopen the investigation.
He stated that Cricket Australia remains satisfied with the outcome of its original investigation and sees no compelling reason to revisit the case.
Conclusion
Eight years after Sandpapergate shocked the cricketing world, the controversy continues to raise questions about honesty, accountability and team responsibility.
While Khawaja believes that the entire team should have shared responsibility, Starc continues to stand by his earlier account.
With different players offering conflicting versions of the same incident, the debate over one of cricket’s most controversial scandals is far from over.
