Former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has defended his claims about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, saying he did not intend to blame his former teammates.
The Australia cricket scandal, widely known as Sandpapergate, began during a Test match against South Africa in Cape Town.
Khawaja recently claimed that the entire Australian team knew about the ball-tampering incident. However, he said three players unfairly carried the blame.
According to Al Jazeera, AFP and Reuters, Khawaja addressed the controversy in an Instagram video on Sunday, November 8.
Khawaja defends claims about Australia cricket scandal
Khawaja said his decision to speak publicly was not intended to damage the reputations of former teammates.
Instead, he wants the team to share responsibility for what happened in 2018.
The scandal involved Australian player Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper to alter the condition of the cricket ball.
Following the incident, captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Bancroft received suspensions.
Khawaja now argues that the three players carried responsibility for a wider team failure.
He also said he had spoken to all three before making his latest comments.
Why Khawaja waited eight years
Khawaja rejected suggestions that he had delayed his revelations to promote his autobiography.
He said he wanted to speak publicly when the scandal first emerged in 2018.
However, according to Khawaja, Smith persuaded him not to do so.
The former opening batter said he considered speaking again in 2021.
At the time, Australian bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon publicly denied knowing about the ball-tampering.
Khawaja said discussions with then-coach Justin Langer convinced him to remain silent.
He later returned to Australia’s Test team in 2022 and felt uncomfortable reopening the controversy while still playing.
South Africa series revives Sandpapergate debate
The renewed discussion comes after Australia returned to South Africa for a Test series in October 2026.
It was the team’s first Test tour of the country since the 2018 scandal.
South Africa won the three-match series 2-1.
Meanwhile, Khawaja’s autobiography has brought fresh attention to the events in Cape Town.
The former Australian opener retired from international cricket in January 2026 after playing 88 Tests.
His latest comments have raised new questions about accountability within the Australian team.
However, his claim that the entire squad knew about the ball-tampering remains his account of events, rather than an independently established finding.
For Khawaja, the issue is about sharing responsibility and allowing the players involved to move forward.