Khawaja claims entire Australia team knew of 2018 ball-tampering plot
Former opener says sandpaper was used in multiple Tests against South Africa, contradicting previous findings.
At a glance
- Khawaja alleges all members of the Australia touring party knew about the ball-tampering plan
- He claims sandpaper was used in multiple Tests, including Port Elizabeth
- Bancroft was caught on camera handling sandpaper during the third Test
- Cricket Australia previously sanctioned only Bancroft, Warner and Smith
Usman Khawaja has alleged that the entire Australia touring party was aware of a plan to tamper with the cricket ball during the 2018 series against South Africa. He claimed the team used sandpaper on the ball in both the Cape Town and Port Elizabeth Tests, ahead of Cameron Bancroft being caught handling the object during the third Test.
Khawaja made the claims in his autobiography. Cricket Australia has previously maintained it was comfortable with bans imposed only on Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner in connection with the incident.
Why it matters
The allegations challenge the scope of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal and Cricket Australia's disciplinary response to one of the sport's major integrity incidents.
Original reporting
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