Canberra (Sports Desk): New revelations by former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja have once again revived the famous 2018 ball-tampering scandal, known as “Sandpapergate.”
In his autobiography, titled Patience, Usman Khawaja has revealed that all players in the Australian team were aware of the ball-tampering plan and that the entire team should have accepted responsibility for the incident.
The former cricketer says he did not want to speak about the matter earlier; however, after eight years, he has decided to reveal the truth. According to him, this was not an individual act by a single player, but the entire team was aware of the matter, and therefore, responsibility should also have been accepted collectively.
Usman Khawaja said that only three players were punished over the incident, but in his opinion, other aspects of the matter should also be discussed.
In his book, he claimed that during the Port Elizabeth Test against South Africa, sandpaper was considered an effective way to alter the condition of the ball, and discussions about ball-tampering also took place during the second Test.
He further claimed that the ball had been tampered with even before the Cape Town Test, while Steve Smith had decided to remain unaware of the matter.
It is worth mentioning that the ball-tampering incident came to light on March 24, 2018, during the third Test between Australia and South Africa in Cape Town, triggering a major controversy in Australian cricket.
As a result of the incident, David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft faced suspensions and other penalties.
According to the report, Usman Khawaja's statement was not recorded during Cricket Australia's investigation, while four Australian bowlers, including Pat Cummins, maintained that they had no knowledge of the ball-tampering.
On the other hand, Cricket Australia says that all information that has emerged so far regarding the matter has been appropriately reviewed. According to the organisation, numerous claims and rumours about the incident have surfaced over the past eight years, but it remains satisfied with the findings of its investigation.