Usman Khawaja, former Australian cricketer has revived the controversy surrounding 2018 ball tampering scandal (Sandpapergate). He said that every player and support staff knew about discussions to tamper with the cricket ball during team’s tour of South Africa.
His revelations have reignited one of the darkest chapters in Australian cricket history. He made the claims in extracts from his upcoming autobiography Sabr on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
Khawaja Says Entire Team Was Aware
Khawaja said that the ball-tampering talk was not just among a few players. He claimed it was discussed openly in the dressing room of the Australian team as well.
“It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. Us,” Khawaja said (Sydney Morning Herald).
The former Australian opener also asked why the full picture had not emerged during the eight years since the scandal.
Khawaja said he had expected someone to tell more about the incident earlier. He was also disappointed that three players carried most of the public blame for an episode which he felt was collective responsibility.
What Happened During the 2018 Sandpaper Scandal?
The controversy occurred during Australia's third Test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town in March 2018.
Television cameras caught Australian batter Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper to change the condition of the cricket ball. The incident led to widespread criticism and a Cricket Australia investigation.
The investigation found captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Bancroft were aware of the plan.
Smith and Warner were banned for 12 months while Bancroft was given a nine month ban. Smith was also dropped as captain.
The scandal damaged Australia’s reputation and questioned the team’s culture and approach to the game.
Khawaja Raises Questions About Earlier Discussions
Khawaja’s account also mentions the second Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth (now known as Gqeberha).
He said that discussions about using sandpaper to roughen up the ball had taken place in that match. Bancroft volunteered to use it, he said.
Khawaja also said he was surprised Cricket Australia had not interviewed him during its probe because he was in the team on that controversial tour.
These claims have added another dimension to the debate about how much the team knew before Cape Town incident.
Sandpaper Gate is back Eight years on, Usman Khawaja says the whole dressing room knew. “It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us.” Who else knew? Drop it below 👇 #cricket #sandpapergate #khawaja #australiancricket #ballTampering https://t.co/T8r2lkUxng
— Azeem Rafiq (@AzeemRafiq30) November 7, 2026
Cricket Australia Defends Its Investigation
CA has stuck by its original findings despite Khawaja’s claims.
The governing body said all relevant information put before it had been properly considered and that it was comfortable with the results of its integrity process.
It also said that there had been opportunities for people to put more relevant information forward.
The response is that Cricket Australia “doesn’t see any reason to change the conclusions we reached originally”.
A Controversy That Continues to Follow Australian Cricket
Khawaja’s revelations have put Smith, Warner and Bancroft back at the centre of all discussions about the 2018 scandal.
The former opener has said that revisiting the incident was tough but he wanted to speak out after being silent for so long.
He also says that the scandal ultimately made Australian cricket change its attitude and find humility again.
With his autobiography Sabr bringing fresh details into the public domain the Sandpapergate debate won’t go away overnight. Whether the new allegations will raise further questions about Cricket Australia’s investigation remains to be seen.
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