Cricket Australia rules out reopening 2018 ball-tampering inquiry despite fresh claims

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has stated there is no valid basis to reopen the inquiry into the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. His comments follow new claims made by Usman Khawaja in his book, Sabr, alleging that the entire team knew about the use of sandpaper during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Greenberg noted that Khawaja's account contradicts statements given by others from that period, but emphasized that he respects the former batter's right to share his version of events. Seamer Mitchell Starc expressed disappointment that the controversy has resurfaced ahead of the Australian summer. Starc reiterated that his own recollection has not changed from a joint statement issued in 2021 by himself, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, maintaining that the bowling group was unaware a foreign substance was brought onto the field. Meanwhile, David Warner, who received a one-year ban following the incident, backed Khawaja's statements as entirely accurate, and Warner's manager James Erskine suggested an independent honesty session instead of a formal re-investigation. Former England captain Michael Vaughan also weighed in, stating that the sport needs to move past the events of eight years ago.

Context

The 2018 ball-tampering scandal remains one of the most significant controversies in modern cricket history, leading to severe sanctions for top players and widespread debate over team culture. Disagreements among former teammates years later highlight how deeply divided perceptions of the event continue to be within the sport.