Joe Root Responds to Usman Khawaja’s Revelations on Ball Tampering
Joe Root addressed Usman Khawaja's recent claims surrounding the Sandpapergate scandal, asserting he doesn't share the same views on tampering.
NEW DELHI, Nov 12: Joe Root responded to Usman Khawaja’s new revelations about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal during a press conference ahead of England’s one-day international against Australia. Root said he doesn’t want to speculate about the ongoing controversy linked to the Australian cricket team’s conduct during the series against South Africa.
Root remarked, “I can only speak from my own experiences. That’s not how I feel, no,” when asked about the idea of widespread ball tampering in international cricket at that time.
Khawaja’s recent autobiography has reignited discussions about the scandal, suggesting that knowledge of ball tampering was more pervasive among Australian players than previously acknowledged. His book, titled ‘Sabr’, has prompted debates over accountability and transparency within the team. Khawaja has emphasized the need for collective responsibility, stating that while he does not aim to initiate a witch hunt, he believes the entire team should be held accountable.
In an interview, Khawaja stated, “It’s never been for me about pointing fingers and saying, ‘he did this, he said that.'” His insistence on accountability did not include naming specific players who may have known about the tampering.
After Khawaja’s claims, several former teammates, including David Warner, supported his assertions. Warner described Khawaja’s account as “100% accurate” and criticized past investigations into the scandal as inadequate. He has called for a more open discussion regarding the events that transpired during the 2018 series.
After the fallout, Cricket Australia’s CEO Todd Greenberg stated that they have found no compelling reason to reopen the investigation into the scandal. Greenberg remarked, “Our position hasn’t changed on that. We don’t see any compelling reason to open the investigation or revisit this again.” This stance has led to criticism from various media and former players urging for more transparency.
In light of the controversy, Khawaja’s publisher clarified that his promotional events for the autobiography had not been canceled, although adjustments have been made following his recent interview.