In his newly released autobiography Sabr the Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has reignited discussions surrounding the 2018 ball-tampering scandal against South Africa with revealing that the team also used sandpaper during the preceding Test in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).
Usman Khawaja details how Cameron Bancroft used sandpaper on the ball during the second Test at St George's Park and causing the ball to reverse swing dramatically and helping Australia capture four quick wickets for just 28 runs. He notes that the entire team was aware of the practice writing that accountability was a collective responsibility despite official investigations concluding that prior knowledge was restricted to only a few players.
The revelations have received backing from former teammate David Warner. In a video statement, Warner endorsed Khawaja's account as "100% accurate" heavily criticized Cricket Australia’s initial 2018 investigation as "rushed and botched" and expressed frustration that Khawaja was never formally interviewed.
While the scandal originally resulted in year-long bans for Warner and Steve Smith and a nine-month suspension for Bancroft Usman Khawaja's book highlights ongoing debates over team-wide awareness and transparency within Australian cricket management.
