Warner backs Khawaja over 2018 ball-tampering claims
Warner says his former teammate is telling the truth, while Cricket Australia says it has no plans to reopen its inquiry into the Cape Town incident.
Key points
- Former opener David Warner has publicly supported Usman Khawaja's account of the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering scandal.
- Khawaja said the whole Australia team knew about the use of sandpaper, a claim bowlers have consistently denied.
- Warner called Cricket Australia's investigation rushed and botched, saying Khawaja was never interviewed.
- Cricket Australia says it remains comfortable with its findings and has not announced a new inquiry.
- Marnus Labuschagne has been left out of the first Test against New Zealand, according to chair of selectors George Bailey.
Former Australia opener David Warner has backed Usman Khawaja’s version of events from the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. According to BBC Sport, Warner said in a video posted on Instagram that Khawaja’s account is completely accurate and that he fully supports him.
The row was reignited last week when Khawaja said the entire Australia team had known that sandpaper was being used to alter the ball. The incident took place during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, and the bowlers have repeatedly denied having any knowledge of the plan.
Warner criticises the original investigation
Warner said the process Cricket Australia followed after the incident was rushed and botched. He pointed out that Khawaja, who was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft at the time, was never interviewed. Warner questioned how such a process could be considered thorough.
He also said that Khawaja had recorded detailed notes about the events of that day. Warner added that the focus should shift from the person seeking accountability to those who ran the investigation.
Warner said that many statements and inaccuracies had circulated in the media over the past eight years, and that many people had stayed silent. He said he had delayed his response so he could explain the affair to his daughters.
Cricket Australia’s position
Cricket Australia has not said it will reopen its investigation into the events at Newlands in 2018. In a statement issued after Khawaja’s comments were published, the board said it had properly considered all relevant information presented to it so far.
The governing body added that it remains open to receiving any new information. It also said it is comfortable with the findings of its integrity process.
Questions about the bowlers
Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for a year, and Cameron Bancroft was banned for nine months. All three were batters. No public explanation has been given for how the bowlers, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, failed to notice a change in the condition of the ball.
Cummins has captained Australia’s Test side since 2021, and all four bowlers remain regular picks in the red-ball team. In a joint statement issued in 2021, the four players said they did not know a foreign substance had been taken onto the field.
Upcoming fixtures and selection
Australia face England in three one-day internationals and five T20 matches, with the first game due to begin on Friday. They then host New Zealand for a four-Test series starting on 9 December.
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from the Test squad. The 32-year-old was once the top-ranked Test batter in the world, but he has gone 49 innings without a century. He averaged 21.83 in the recent 2-1 series defeat in South Africa. Chair of selectors George Bailey said Labuschagne will not be considered for the first Test, though he could be considered for the New Zealand series.
Frequently asked questions
What did David Warner say about Usman Khawaja?
Warner said Khawajau0026#039;s account of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal is completely accurate and that he fully supports him. He also said the investigation that followed was rushed and botched.
Is Cricket Australia reopening the 2018 investigation?
Cricket Australia has not said it will reopen the investigation. It said it remains comfortable with the findings of its integrity process and will consider any new relevant information.
Sources
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