‘Khawaja is 100% accurate’: David Warner backs ex-teammate, questions Sandpapergate probe

Usman Khawaja and David Warner. (Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Former Australian opener David Warner has thrown his weight behind Usman Khawaja amid renewed controversy surrounding the 2018 Sandpaper Gate scandal, insisting his former team-mate’s revelations are accurate and the truth needs to come out about one of Australian cricket’s darkest episodes.Warner, who was among three players punished by Cricket Australia (CA) following the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, expressed his full support for Khawaja in a video posted on Instagram. He also questioned the credibility of the investigation into the incident, pointing out that Khawaja, despite being present alongside Cameron Bancroft, was never questioned.“It’s been eight years since I spoke about this. And Uzzie (Usman Khawaja), I give you my full support. Thank you for what you did. It’s 100% accurate what you said. Now everybody knows the truth. It’s out there. People wanted to know; you came out and said it, and now people are saying, ‘Why after eight years?’ Talking about selling a book – that is Usman’s story. Usman believes that,” Warner said.His intervention comes after extracts from Khawaja’s forthcoming autobiography, Sabr, reignited debate over the events of the 2018 Test series against South Africa. Khawaja claimed that the knowledge of ball-tampering went beyond the three players who were formally punished and that the team should have collectively accepted responsibility.

Warner disputes the investigation, saying Khawaja was not questioned

The strongest criticism of Warner was directed at the process followed by CA after the Cape Town Test, where Bancroft was caught on camera using sandpaper to change the condition of the ball.According to Warner, the investigation was rushed and incomplete, particularly because Khawaja, who was sitting next to Bancroft, was not questioned.“Now this whole interview process was rushed and botched. Uzzie was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft; Uzzie wasn’t interviewed. How is this a thorough investigation? It’s confusing to me. We’re not here to point fingers and we’re not opening wounds. This is about accountability, transparency, making sure the truth is properly investigated. And maybe it’s time for the people who are in charge of the investigation to start demanding that were checking,” he said. Warner said.Warner also spoke about the personal toll the scandal has taken on his family. He revealed that he was recently forced to explain the events to his daughters, especially his 12-year-old Ivy, who wanted to understand the image of the family surrounded by cameras and the emotional scenes that followed the scandal.“Over the last eight years, there’s been a lot of statements and inaccuracies that people have put out in the media, and there’s been a lot of people who have stayed quiet. The last few days I had to be — I talked to my daughters, and that’s why it took me a few days to get it out, because I had to tell them exactly what happened to my 12-year-old, why it happened.” her, why were there so many cameras, why were we crying on TV,” he said.Warner described the conversation as difficult and said he stressed the importance of telling the truth.“It’s been a tough thing. But one thing I’ve said is, ‘Girls, tell the truth because the lies will come out eventually.’ It was a very difficult period. This is for everyone in Australia. It was — it was a question that everybody was asking. Uzzie, you said it like it is. It’s 100% accurate,” he added.“It’s been a tough time for my family, Steve and Cameron no doubt, but this is what had to come out. I fully support it, Uzzie,” Warner concluded.

What Khawaja said about Sandpaper Gate

The controversy resurfaced after extracts from Khawaja’s autobiography, reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, claimed that the ball-tampering episode was not limited to the Cape Town Test and that the team had also used sandpaper during the previous Test in Port Elizabeth.Khawaja’s account challenged the long-held position that only Warner, then-captain Steve Smith and Bancroft had prior knowledge of the plan. In an interview before the book was released, he said, “It was all of us. Not the batsmen, not the pitchers, not the staff. All of us.”He also recalled that he pushed for collective responsibility in the dressing room after the incident in Cape Town, arguing that the team should stick together rather than let three players suffer the consequences.Khawaja’s account further revealed disagreement over this proposal. He claimed that two teammates opposed his suggestion that the whole group take responsibility.“That was the biggest disappointment for me. I knew who those two guys were and it was ridiculous; it was them of all. But it showed me their true colors. When the going got tough, they only cared about themselves. But I wasn’t going to stop fighting it,” Khawaja wrote.Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann dismissed aspects of Khawaja’s claims, while the controversy also drew criticism from former England captain Michael Vaughan. Australia’s bowling quartet of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon had previously denied knowing about the ball-tampering plan before Bancroft appeared on the stadium screen.

Khawaja defends remarks: ‘I didn’t throw anyone under the bus’

As the revelation sparked a backlash, Khawaja took to social media to clarify what he meant when he said the entire team was responsible. He insisted his reference to “all of us” was about collective responsibility and not an attempt to blame individual teammates.“Okay, time to get some facts straight because the media has predictably taken this to the moon.“I was silent yesterday, but number one, if you read my article, you would have seen when I mentioned that it’s all of us, suggesting that whether we like it or not, we’re all responsible for what happened. Together, as a team, we have to take it together. That’s all,” he said.However, Khawaja did not retract his claim that the wider group knew about the episode.“But now that everyone’s talking, am I going to deny that everyone knew? No. I’m not going to deny that either.”“But I never speak for anyone else in my book. Contrary to all the headlines the clickbait media would have you think. Don’t fall for the s***.”He also rejected suggestions that he waited eight years to reveal the details just to get publicity for his autobiography. Khawaja said he deliberately withheld the account until the Australian team returned from South Africa and even spoke to Cummins before deciding when to release it.“What I’m saying now is no longer a reflection of them and now my words don’t affect the team at all. I’m speaking for myself. But I still refused to publish any of that while the boys were still in South Africa. That’s why I called Pat (Cummins).“Why would someone who really wants to increase sales of their book turn down the biggest marketing opportunity they have? I’m not throwing anyone under the bus… the three guys (Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft) who took the blame for us all are victims,” ​​he said.According to CA’s findings at the time, Smith and Warner received 12-month bans from international and domestic cricket, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months.