Mitchell Starc denies knowledge of 2018 ball-tampering plot after Khawaja book claims

Mitchell Starc says his recollection of the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal has not changed, pushing back against former teammate Usman Khawaja's claim that the entire Australian cricket team knew about the ball-tampering plot. In his new autobiography titled Sabr, Khawaja wrote that then-captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner, and opener Cameron Bancroft were made scapegoats by game administrators. Khawaja alleged that the whole team was aware of the plan to use sandpaper during the Cape Town Test against South Africa, and that the tactic had also been used in the previous Test in Gqeberha. When pressed on the ABC's 7:30 program about whether specific players like Pat Cummins had prior knowledge, Khawaja refused to name individuals, stating he wrote the details as a safe space and did not want a witch hunt. Starc disputed those assertions when speaking to the media, pointing to the joint statement he issued in 2021 alongside Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon. That statement denied any prior knowledge of things being taken onto the field. Starc added that he had not paid much attention to the book and suggested that any future relationship between them is now in Khawaja's hands. David Warner strongly supported Khawaja's claims via a video on Monday, stating he stood with his brother Usman and that the account was one hundred percent accurate. Warner argued that some wounds from the 2018 tour never properly healed and that time passing does not replace accountability. Meanwhile, Starc's wife and former Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy described the book's timing as a little bit stinky, though she added she would have no problem sharing a commentary box with Khawaja and Warner. Former England captain Michael Vaughan also weighed in, saying he would have liked Khawaja to donate his book profits to charity.

Context

The 2018 ball-tampering scandal remains one of the most controversial chapters in modern cricket history, leading to heavy suspensions for Smith, Warner, and Bancroft. Fresh revelations from senior players years later continue to draw intense public debate about team-wide responsibility and leadership accountability.