Khawaja's memoir revives debate over 2018 Newlands sandpaper scandal

Usman Khawaja has reignited debate over Australia's 2018 Newlands ball-tampering incident by publishing his autobiography Sabr on Tuesday, and Cricket Australia says he has not presented enough evidence to merit a new investigation.

The episode stems from the 2018 match in Cape Town when Cameron Bancroft hid DIY equipment in his jockstrap and three players — Steve Smith, David Warner and Bancroft — were punished. Khawaja, careful with his wording and not naming individuals, writes: "I'm going to use the term 'we' throughout this chapter, because 'we' are team Australia – although in this book I'm not speaking on behalf of anyone but myself. This will be my recollection of events." In a video posted on Instagram he added: "You would have seen when I mentioned it was all of us, that's implying that whether we like it or not, we are all responsible for what happened together. As a team, we need to take that collectively. That is all." He also told the ABC: "I'm not here to go on a witch hunt. All I've ever wanted is for us to take accountability as a team."

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said he did not see "any compelling reason" to reopen the original inquiry, and the Cape Town files have never been made public. In 2021 David Saker, an Australia assistant coach in 2018, called for those files to be released; Khawaja's book alleges that a member of the backroom team encouraged Bancroft to act, a claim the report says warrants scrutiny.

Of the players in the Australia XI on that Saturday at Newlands, three were punished and Khawaja has accepted his share of responsibility, making four. Tim Paine inherited the captaincy after the incident and his reign later ended in his own scandal. Shaun Marsh was also in the team in Cape Town.

Josh Hazlewood (313), Nathan Lyon (577), Mitchell Starc (460) and Pat Cummins (328) have taken almost 1700 Test wickets between them and remain Australia's first-choice bowling unit. The quartet adhere to a 2021 joint statement that they "did not know a foreign substance was taken on to the field", and supporters point out the on-field umpires on the day did not see a reason to change the ball; Khawaja has said the effects of sandpaper could leave swirls on the leather.

Responses from those involved have been mixed: Darren Lehmann and Mitchell Starc have stuck to their denials, Chadd Sayers has come out in support of Khawaja and Warner, and Warner has not named others he believes should be implicated. The article notes questions remain over why Khawaja and Warner did not speak earlier, suggesting factors such as squad harmony, loyalty and protecting places in the team were considerations.

The episode has produced emotive scenes in its aftermath: "Steve Smith cries when speaking to the media on his return to Australia", "David Warner was also emotional when he spoke to journalists", and "Australia coach Darren Lehmann struggles to hold back the tears after announcing his resignation" are among the recollections recorded alongside claims that Khawaja alleges racial abuse by an MCC member. Khawaja has also said: "I haven't thrown anyone under the bus - Khawaja" and former captain Michael Clarke has warned supporters cannot "can't trust what's real" if no further action is taken.

Mitchell Marsh, who remains an active player and is about to skipper Australia in the limited-overs series against England, will speak on Thursday.