Usman Khawaja’s publisher has dismissed reports that the former Australia batter’s autobiography promotional tour has been cancelled, confirming that only adjustments have been made to this week’s schedule.
The clarification follows reports that Khawaja withdrew from several scheduled appearances after an interview with the ABC in which he declined to identify which Australian players knew about the ball-tampering incident during the 2018 Test series against South Africa.
Publisher Confirms Changes to Promotional Schedule
Penguin, the publisher of Khawaja’s autobiography, insisted that the promotional tour would proceed despite reports of cancelled engagements.
In a statement to ABC, the publisher said: “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 reported changes came after Khawaja faced questions about the contents of his book and his decision not to disclose the identities of players who may have known about the ball-tampering scandal.
Khawaja Calls for Collective Responsibility Over 2018 Scandal
During his ABC interview, Khawaja explained that his intention was to encourage collective accountability among his former team-mates rather than single out individuals.
He said he wanted to share his personal account of events without triggering what he described as a “witch hunt” against particular players.
Khawaja also revealed that he had removed several names and specific details from an earlier version of his manuscript because he wanted to focus on telling the broader story.
He said: “Sometimes I’m very specific on things and sometimes they’re a bit vague on things, and I do it on purpose because I’m trying to tell a story.”
According to the former batter, the incident should not be viewed as the responsibility of only the three players who received punishments.
He maintained that the team needed to acknowledge its collective involvement, regardless of who carried out the act or who knew about it.
Smith, Warner and Bancroft Received Suspensions
The 2018 ball-tampering scandal resulted in suspensions for then-captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and fellow batter Cameron Bancroft.
However, a Cricket Australia investigation concluded that the national team’s bowling attack had no knowledge of the ball-tampering activity.
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc, who featured in the controversial third Test, remain important members of the Australian national team.
In 2021, the four bowlers released a joint statement denying knowledge of the use of a foreign substance during the match.
They stated that they “did not know a foreign substance was taken on to the field”.
Warner Supports Khawaja’s Account
Former Australia team-mate David Warner has publicly backed the claims contained in Khawaja’s autobiography, describing them as “100% accurate”.
Warner also suggested that the truth would eventually emerge, saying that “lies will eventually get out”.
Responding to his former team-mate’s comments, Khawaja said he would not speak on Warner’s behalf and reiterated that his book was an attempt to document his personal experiences.
He explained that he had dedicated 22 pages to the sandpaper scandal, detailing what he witnessed and how he felt about the events.
Khawaja added that he wanted to stand alongside Smith, Warner and Bancroft, who he believes had been left to shoulder the criticism for too long.
Khawaja Refuses to Address Cummins’ Knowledge
Khawaja was directly asked whether Pat Cummins, who became Australia’s Test captain in 2021, knew about the ball-tampering incident.
However, the former batter declined to provide an answer.
“I’m not going to answer that,” he said.
He further insisted that identifying individuals was never his objective, stressing that several of the players involved remained close personal friends.
Khawaja named Cummins, Starc, Shaun Marsh and Mitchell Marsh among those with whom he maintained strong friendships.
He said his intention was to encourage everyone involved to acknowledge their responsibilities rather than force anyone to make public statements.
Khawaja added that he hoped other former players would eventually speak openly about what happened, but emphasised that he was not demanding that anyone do so.
Joe Root Rejects Claims of Widespread Ball-Tampering
Meanwhile, England batter Joe Root has declined to speculate about the controversy ahead of his team’s first one-day international against Australia on Friday.
Asked about the 2018 scandal and suggestions that ball-tampering was widespread across international cricket at the time, Root said he could only comment on his personal experiences.
“I can only speak from my own experiences.
That’s not how I feel, no,” he said.
Root also declined to offer further speculation about the allegations surrounding the Australian team.
