Australian cricket is once again discussing one of its biggest controversies. Former Australian opener Usman Khawaja has brought the infamous 2018 Sandpaper Scandal back into the spotlight through revelations in his autobiography, Sabr.
His statements have raised fresh questions about what really happened during Australia's 2018 tour of South Africa. More importantly, they have sparked debate about whether the responsibility for the ball-tampering incident extended beyond the three players who were originally punished.
What Was the 2018 Sandpaper Scandal?
The controversy dates back to March 2018, during the third Test between Australia and South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town.
Australian batter Cameron Bancroft was caught on television using sandpaper to alter the condition of the cricket ball. The intention was to influence the ball's movement and generate reverse swing.
Following an investigation, Cricket Australia handed down the following suspensions:
- Steve Smith – 12 months.
- David Warner – 12 months.
- Cameron Bancroft – 9 months.
The incident caused widespread criticism and became one of the most talked-about moments in modern cricket history.
What Has Usman Khawaja Revealed?
In his autobiography Sabr, Usman Khawaja has shared his version of events surrounding the controversy.
He claims that discussions about ball tampering had started during the second Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth, before the incident became public in Cape Town.
His most significant claim is that the knowledge of the plan extended beyond Smith, Warner and Bancroft, involving the wider Australian team.
Khawaja believes the incident should be viewed as a matter of collective responsibility rather than being associated only with the three players who received suspensions.
These claims have challenged the narrative established by Cricket Australia's original investigation. However, they remain Khawaja's account and have not been independently established through a fresh investigation.
Why Did Khawaja Wait Eight Years to Speak?
Khawaja has explained that he wanted to share his perspective much earlier but did not feel comfortable discussing the matter while he was still representing Australia.
He also claimed that Steve Smith had encouraged him not to speak publicly at the time because Smith wanted to take responsibility.
After retiring from international cricket in January 2026, Khawaja decided to share his perspective through his autobiography.
His revelations have now reopened discussions about team culture, leadership and accountability in Australian cricket.
David Warner Responds to Khawaja's Claims
Former Australian opener David Warner has also supported Khawaja's account.
Warner criticised the original investigation and raised questions about how the incident was handled in 2018.
However, other members of the Australian team have previously maintained that they did not know about the use of a foreign substance to alter the ball.
These differing accounts have made the latest developments particularly controversial.
Cricket Australia's Response
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has responded to the renewed debate.
The organisation has maintained its confidence in the original investigation and indicated that there is no compelling reason to reopen the case.
This means the controversy is once again attracting public attention, but there is currently no announced fresh investigation.
Final Thoughts
Eight years after the Sandpaper Scandal, Usman Khawaja's revelations have brought an old controversy back into cricket conversations.
With David Warner supporting his claims and Cricket Australia standing by its original findings, questions about what happened in 2018 continue to divide opinions.
The bigger discussion is about honesty, team responsibility and the importance of fair play in professional cricket.
What do you think? Should Cricket Australia reopen the Sandpaper Scandal investigation, or should the matter remain closed?