Khawaja pulls out of publicity after Sandpapergate claims; ACA urges an end to personal attacks

Melbourne — Usman Khawaja has withdrawn from interviews promoting his autobiography Sabr after criticism that followed the book’s release on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The Australian Cricketers' Association has called for personal attacks and online abuse related to the renewed debate to stop.

Khawaja’s autobiography has reignited controversy about the Cape Town Test against South Africa in 2018, with the former batter alleging the entire team knew about a plan to use sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball. He wrote that then captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and opener Cameron Bancroft were made scapegoats by cricket administrators despite the alleged wider knowledge within the team. Mitchell Starc, a member of that side, rejected Khawaja’s assertions and reiterated the position he had taken in 2021 that the bowlers were not aware of the conspiracy.

The controversy escalated after Khawaja struggled to address questions during an interview with ABC on Tuesday evening, when he was asked whether the four front-line bowlers — Pat Cummins, Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon — had been part of discussions around ball-tampering. He was also asked directly whether current Test captain Cummins knew in advance about the use of sandpaper. Khawaja refused to answer those questions and said he had merely told his "truth" in the book, a response that drew criticism.

Publisher Penguin subsequently confirmed changes to Khawaja’s promotional schedule but did not specify which appearances had been cancelled or altered. The publisher said adjustments had been made to the tour schedule this week.

The ACA declined to take sides in the renewed debate while urging an end to the personal attacks on those involved and stressing the fallout from the scandal had taken a heavy toll. Paul Marsh, chief executive of the ACA, said: "The events of the 2018 South African tour were a low point for Australian cricket. Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft paid an enormous price for what happened, one that was greater than and, as the ACA said at the time, disproportionate to any precedent in the game," and added: "Eight years on, it is understandable that those involved may have different recollections and perspectives of what took place. Players and staff at the heart of the issue are entitled to share their experiences, just as others are entitled to put such a challenging period in their lives behind them." Marsh continued: "There are no winners in this issue, and nothing can undo what happened. But we must recognise that there are humans at the centre of this, and we will continue to call for the ongoing vitriol directed at those involved to come to an end. The price paid, both professionally and personally, has already been too great." He added: "The ACA will not be commenting on individual accounts of what took place. The ACA's role is to support our members, and we have been in contact with all players on that tour to offer our support. This support extends to all members of the ACA and their families."

Khawaja also received backing from David Warner, who urged Cricket Australia to reopen the investigation and described the original probe as "rushed and botched." In addition to the one-year suspension from playing, Smith and Warner had also copped leadership bans from Cricket Australia.

Penguin said in a statement: "The book tour is 100% still going ahead; we've just had to make some adjustments this week, but no major cancellation of the tour at all." The publisher did not specify which promotional appearances had been cancelled or altered.