Sydney (Sports Desk): Former Australian opener David Warner has strongly criticised Cricket Australia over its investigation into the infamous 2018 sandpaper scandal, accusing the organisation of concealing facts.
In a post on social media, David Warner claimed that statements from Australian fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were not recorded during the initial investigation into the scandal. He questioned how it could then be claimed that the bowlers were unaware of the ball-tampering incident.
According to Warner, it appeared that a decision had been made to hold certain players responsible as soon as the investigation began, and that a position contrary to the facts was still being maintained.
Meanwhile, a Cricket Australia spokesperson maintained that all players had been given an opportunity to present their accounts at the time. The spokesperson said there had also been opportunities to present new evidence over the past 8 years. However, the spokesperson did not directly answer a question about whether the three bowlers had been interviewed.
The controversy intensified after captain Pat Cummins rejected Usman Khawaja's allegations and said he had no knowledge of the use of sandpaper. Warner expressed dissatisfaction with Cummins's statement and supported Khawaja, saying he stood by the facts presented in his book.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Todd Greenberg has rejected the need to reopen the investigation, while the issue has further exposed divisions among former Australian cricketers.