Usman Khawaja Claims Entire Australia Cricket Team Knew of 2018 Ball-Tampering

OPA WIRE, Nov 7 (OPA) — Former Australia opener Usman Khawaja stated on Saturday that the entire Australian cricket team was aware of the ball-tampering scheme during the March 2018 Test in Cape Town. Khawaja added that the team also employed the tactic during the preceding Test at Port Elizabeth. The original Cricket Australia investigation found that only captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner, and batsman Cameron Bancroft had prior knowledge of the plot, leading to heavy suspensions for the trio.

In his upcoming autobiography, Khawaja writes that the decision involved the entire squad rather than isolated individuals. "It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us," Khawaja told The Sydney Morning Herald. Bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon publicly denied any prior knowledge of the scheme in 2021. Khawaja noted he urged the team in the dressing room after the Cape Town Test to take collective responsibility instead of scapegoating Warner, Smith, and Bancroft.

The scandal erupted when Bancroft was caught on camera using sandpaper to scuff the ball during the third Test against South Africa. Smith was banned for one year and stripped of the captaincy, Warner received a 12-month suspension, and Bancroft was handed a nine-month ban. Head coach Darren Lehmann was cleared of direct involvement but resigned shortly after the series concluded. Khawaja stated he decided to speak out because he expected the full truth to emerge naturally over the past eight years.

Cricket Australia responded by issuing a statement affirming that it remains comfortable with the findings of its original integrity investigation. The governing body noted that despite extensive media speculation and continuous opportunities to present new information, it stands by its initial conclusions. Khawaja's book is scheduled for release next week, featuring a dedicated chapter addressing the 2018 tour and its lasting fallout for Australian cricket.