David Warner backs Usman Khawaja on 2018 ball tampering
The former Australian captain says the team knew about the Cape Town plan, challenging Cricket Australia's final report.
By Fatima Saleh ·
Former Australian cricket captain David Warner endorsed Usman Khawaja's claim that the entire team knew about a plan to tamper with the ball during the 2018 tour of South Africa. In a social media post on Monday, Warner supported his former teammate and questioned the investigation that followed the incident.
The scandal centered on an attempt to alter the ball's surface with sandpaper during the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town. Warner, Steve Smith, and Cameron Bancroft received bans for the episode. Cricket Australia's investigation concluded that only those three players had advance knowledge of the plan.
In an Instagram video, Warner thanked Khawaja for coming forward. He described the inquiry's interview process as hurried and mishandled. Warner questioned why investigators did not interview Khawaja, noting that his former teammate sat beside Bancroft. The 40-year-old argued that this omission undermined the thoroughness of the investigation. Warner retired from international cricket in 2024.
Khawaja's account appeared in an extract from his autobiography released on Saturday. He stated that discussions about tampering were open and lighthearted across the team, not limited to batters, bowlers, or staff. On Sunday, Khawaja explained he decided to address the scandal after promising Warner, a childhood friend, to eventually give his version of events.
Warner said he and Khawaja wanted accountability and transparency. He stated their purpose was to examine the truth without assigning blame or reviving old grievances. Warner argued that attention should turn to those responsible for conducting the investigation. He noted that media accounts over the past eight years included inaccuracies while many people remained silent.
Cricket Australia has not commented on Warner's latest statement. The governing body defended its handling of the case in a statement on Saturday. It said it properly considered all relevant information and remained satisfied with the integrity process's findings. The body also stated that the opportunity to provide further relevant information remains available.
Four Australian bowlers who played in the Cape Town Test jointly denied knowing about the plan in a statement issued in 2021. The group included Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon. Cummins, now Australia's Test captain, said last month that he discussed the forthcoming autobiography with Khawaja. He dismissed suggestions that its publication could produce further fallout.
