Usman Khawaja has revealed why he waited eight years to speak publicly about Australia’s infamous ball-tampering scandal, claiming former captain Steve Smith persuaded him to remain silent shortly after the incident in 2018.
The Australian batter made the revelation in a five-minute Instagram video on Sunday, a day after publishing explosive allegations that the entire Australian team knew about the use of sandpaper during the 2018 Test series against South Africa.
Khawaja, 39, insisted he had never intended to single out individuals but wanted the three players who received suspensions to be cleared of carrying the responsibility for the entire team’s actions.
Steve Smith Persuaded Khawaja Not to Go Public in 2018
Khawaja disclosed that he had considered speaking to the media just days after the scandal broke and Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were suspended.
He said he was particularly troubled by the punishments handed to the three players and wanted to reveal what he knew about the team’s involvement.
However, when he informed Smith of his intention, the former Australian captain convinced him not to proceed.
“I told Smudge (Smith) that I was going to come clean to the media,” Khawaja said.
“I couldn’t believe the penalties he got. But Smudge being the man and leader he was, he talked me out of it.
“He wanted to take the blame. I argued with him, but he was having none of it. That’s the first time I try to come out.”
Khawaja Says Entire Team Knew About Ball-Tampering
The latest revelations form part of Khawaja’s forthcoming memoir, Sabr, which is scheduled for release on Tuesday.
Extracts from the book describe how sandpaper was first used to alter the condition of the ball during Australia’s second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park in 2018.
According to Khawaja, an Australian player initially applied the substance to the ball inside the dressing room.
When other teammates noticed how much one side had become scuffed, they recognised the potential advantage it could provide by generating additional swing.
Khawaja claims Bancroft volunteered to handle the substance, with the practice initially taking place at the beginning of sessions before expanding to on-field activity during the following Test in Cape Town.
He also alleges that a member of Australia’s coaching staff encouraged Bancroft to intensify his efforts before the incident was captured by television cameras and noticed by the umpires.
A Second Attempt to Take Collective Responsibility in 2021
Khawaja said his efforts to address the issue did not end with his disagreement with Smith in 2018.
In 2021, he reportedly held extensive discussions with then-Australia coach Justin Langer and Todd Greenberg about ensuring the entire team accepted responsibility for what had happened.
Greenberg, who was then the chief executive of the Australian Cricketers’ Association, has since become the head of Cricket Australia.
However, Khawaja said a subsequent public statement from Australia’s bowlers, distancing themselves from the incident, meant the situation remained unresolved.
He also revealed that he had made a promise with his childhood friend Warner to disclose the details of the scandal after retiring from international cricket.
Warner, Smith and Bancroft Were the Victims, Khawaja Insists
The former Australian opener rejected suggestions that his revelations were intended to expose or embarrass his former teammates.
Instead, he argued that Smith, Warner and Bancroft had been left to face the consequences of an incident for which other members of the team also bore responsibility.
“I haven’t thrown anyone under the bus,” he said.
“The guys that are currently in the team right now and the other people that were there on the South African tour, including me, we’re not the victims.
“These three guys took the blame for all of us. They’re the victims… people telling them that they’re cheats, getting nailed by the crowd. Public humiliation.”
Khawaja added that he had struggled to discuss the matter while he was still representing Australia, having returned to the national team in 2022.
He said his decision to remain silent was partly influenced by his commitment to putting the team first.
Khawaja Defends Decision to Publish Memoir After Retirement
Addressing questions about why he had waited until now, Khawaja said he had been uncomfortable speaking about the scandal while still an active member of the Australian team.
He also pointed to the timing of his memoir’s release, which came after Australia’s Test return to South Africa last month, as evidence that the revelations were not motivated by financial considerations.
“Call me a chicken or whatever you want. I didn’t know how to do it because I was still in the team,” he said.
“I was always conscious of putting my team first, but I’m not in that team anymore.
What I say now isn’t a reflection of them anymore.”
Khawaja also referenced his previous involvement with the Australian Cricketers’ Association, saying he had consistently advocated for what he believed was fair treatment of players.
He maintained that his latest intervention was motivated by the same principle and that the three players involved in the scandal deserved justice.
Cricket Australia Maintains Its Original Findings
Khawaja has also criticised Cricket Australia over its investigation into the Cape Town incident, particularly because he was never interviewed during the process.
Cricket Australia has maintained that it remains comfortable with the conclusions reached in 2018, which identified Warner, Smith and Bancroft as the only players aware of the ball-tampering plan.
The organisation’s findings have now come under renewed scrutiny following Khawaja’s claims that knowledge of the practice extended beyond the three players who were punished.
Australian bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon previously distanced themselves from the incident, insisting they had no knowledge of any foreign substance being taken onto the field.
Khawaja’s memoir, Sabr, is due to be released on Tuesday, with further details of his account of the 2018 scandal expected to emerge.
