Khawaja Says All Australian Players Knew of 2018 Ball Tampering
Usman Khawaja's revelations suggest the entire Australian cricket team knew about the 2018 ball tampering, contradicting previous denials from some players.
NEW DELHI, Nov 8: Usman Khawaja has claimed that every member of the Australian cricket team was aware of the ball-tampering scheme during the 2018 Test series against South Africa. This assertion contradicts a joint statement from key bowlers who previously denied any knowledge of the incident.
Khawaja, who recently retired from international cricket, made these comments in an upcoming autobiography, expressing a desire for collective accountability. He stated, “It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us,” emphasizing the shared responsibility among the team.
The ball-tampering incident occurred during the third Test in Cape Town when Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to alter the ball’s condition. Following the scandal, captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner, and Bancroft faced significant penalties, while others, including bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, maintained their ignorance of the plot.
Khawaja’s remarks have reignited discussions surrounding the incident. He expressed regret that he refrained from speaking out sooner, mentioning he felt pressured by Smith at the time not to disclose what he knew. “[Smith] being the man and leader he was talked me out of it. He wanted to take the blame,” Khawaja told the Sydney Morning Herald.
In response to Khawaja’s assertions, Darren Lehmann, the coach during the scandal, denied the claims, stating, “I don’t think everyone would have known.” Cricket Australia has not indicated plans to reopen the investigation into the events of 2018.
While Khawaja believes it is time for all players to move on from the incident, Bancroft’s current coach, Beau Casson, remarked that Bancroft is eager to focus on his game rather than the past. Casson noted, “The situation’s a long time ago. He’s keen to move on and let his bat do the talking.”
As the ball-tampering revelations continue to unfold, the focus remains on how the Australian team will address these allegations and whether further actions will be taken by Cricket Australia.
Sources
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.