Bývalý australský hráč kriketu David Warner prolomil mlčení o nových obviněních Usmana Khawaji ohledně Sandpapergate. In his upcoming autobiography, Sabr, Khawaja claims that the entire Australian team knew about and was involved in the 2018 ball-tampering episode, but no one, from the players to the support staff, objected to it at the time.
Khawaja believed it was wrong for David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft to take the fall for the entire Australian team and claimed the rest of the team was equally responsible for unethical practices.
Banned from all forms of cricket for a year after Cricket Australia found him, Smith and Bancroft guilty of their roles in the scandal, Warner publicly supported Khawaja’s explanation of the incident on Instagram.
“What you said is 100 percent accurate. Now everyone knows the truth. It’s out there. People wanted to know and you said it,” Warner said in a video posted on Instagram. David Warner podporuje tvrzení Usmana Khawaja o Sandpapergate. (Photo by Reuters)
AUSTRALIA DIRTY INVESTIGATION: WARNER
Warner also defended Khawaj against criticism over the timing of his disclosure, questioning why people were focusing on the fact that he waited eight years to speak about the incident.
“People are now asking why eight years later? They’re talking about selling a book. Is it a Brisbane story? Usman believes that. Did he write down everything from that day?” Warner said.
The former Australian opener also backed Khawaja’s criticism of the investigation into the 2018 Cape Town Test, calling the process rushed and botched. Khawaja tvrdil, že nebyl vyslechnut v rámci vyšetřování, přestože byl v té době v šatně.
“The whole interview process was rushed and botched. Uzi was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft. Uzi was not interviewed. How is this a thorough investigation? It baffles me,” Warner said.
“We’re not here to point fingers and reopen old wounds. This is about accountability and transparency and making sure the truth is properly investigated. Maybe it’s time for people to stop scrutinizing the person asking for accountability and start asking those in charge of the investigation to provide it.”
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WARNER BREAKS THE SILENCE
Khawaja’s revelation at Sabr sparked debate about the extent of the Australian team’s involvement in Sandpapergate and whether Warner, Smith and Bancroft were to blame for the entire team’s failure.
The former Australian batsman subsequently responded to the backlash in a series of Instagram videos, insisting he never intended to single out his former teammates. He also explained that he tried to open the matter in 2018 and again in 2021, but did not want to pursue the matter further while he was still part of the Australian dressing room.
Khawaja řekl, že před zveřejněním odhalení záměrně počkal, až skončí nedávné turné Austrálie po Jižní Africe. He also revealed that he had promised his childhood friend Warner that he would tell the truth about what happened so that the former opener would get a chance to share his side of the story.
Warner’s video appeared to be a reaction to this explanation, with the former opener voicing his full support for Khawaja and saying the revelations had been difficult for his family.
“I had to talk to my daughters over the last few days. That’s why it took me a few days to put it out because I had to tell them exactly what happened. Especially my 12-year-old Ivy. She wanted to know why we were holding her and why there were so many cameras around when we were crying on TV,” Warner said.
Warner ended his message by reiterating his support for Khawaja, saying the revelations were necessary despite the difficult memories they brought up.
– The end