Khawaja Claims Entire Australia Squad Knew of 2018 Ball-Tampering

UPDATE - follow-up to Whole Australia team knew of sandpaper use - Khawaja: Usman Khawaja claims the entire Australian cricket team knew about the use of sandpaper to alter the ball during their 2018 series against South Africa. Writing in his autobiography, Sabr, the 39-year-old batter states that the tactic was first used in the second Test at Port Elizabeth before the infamous Cape Town match.

The Fallout

The scandal led to bans for captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner, and batter Cameron Bancroft, while the four bowlers involved—Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon—subsequently issued a joint statement denying prior knowledge. Khawaja argues that the team should have shared the blame collectively and expressed surprise that Cricket Australia's investigation never asked him to provide evidence.

Context

Ball-tampering is considered a serious offence in cricket because it alters the flight and swing of the ball, giving the fielding side an unfair advantage over the batters. Major investigations into such scandals often leave lingering questions regarding team culture and the extent of shared responsibility among players.