Easy escape: Chris Broad over Sandpapergate tears to Darren Lehmann

Former England cricketer and match referee Chris Broad has hit out at former Australia head coach Darren Lehmann over the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, questioning how he could have been unaware of the incident and claiming he got away without facing any meaningful punishment.

Broad’s comments came amid renewed scrutiny of Australia’s infamous ‘Sandpapergate’ controversy following new revelations by Usman Khawaja in his autobiography Sabr. The former Australian batsman claimed that knowledge of the ball-tampering episode went beyond the three players who were ultimately punished, suggesting that the entire team, including support staff, should have shared responsibility.

In response to Khawaja’s claim, Broad questioned Lehmann’s position as head coach during Australia’s 2018 tour of South Africa, suggesting that he could not have been fully aware of what was going on in the team.

“Darren Lehmann certainly knew about it,” Broad said on Track Radio, as quoted by Fox Sports.

“And if he didn’t, he shouldn’t have been a coach at the time. I think he got off at lightweight, he got out of the job a few months later, but he didn’t get sanctioned.”

LEHMANN RESUME

Lehmann resigned as head coach of Australia on 29 March 2018 following a ball-tampering scandal that broke out during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

His resignation came after Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera attempting to change the condition of the ball with sandpaper. After that, captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were also involved in the dispute.

When he announced his decision to leave the role, Lehmann claimed he had no prior knowledge of the players’ actions. He also accepted responsibility for the team’s culture and said he believed his departure would allow Australian cricket to start rebuilding its reputation.

“I am ultimately responsible for the culture of the team,” Lehmann said when he announced his resignation.

He also spoke of the emotional loss of watching Smith and Bancroft face the media after the incident and said seeing the players dealing with the fallout influenced his decision.

Cricket Australia subsequently claimed that Lehmann was not involved in the ball-tampering conspiracy. Smith and Warner received 12-month bans from competitive cricket, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months. Lehmann, meanwhile, faced no formal sanction.

However, Broad believes the former Australia coach shirked his responsibility.

The former England cricketer also recalled Lehmann’s criticism of his son, former England fast bowler Stuart Broad, during the Ashes series in 2013. Stuart refused to go after bringing the delivery closer to the wickets, sparking a furious reaction from the Australian camp.

Lehmann subsequently warned that Australia would make the England pacer cry when the teams travel Down Under.

Broad recounted the episode as he explained his anger towards the former Australia coach, accusing him of taking the moral high ground against his son while denying knowledge of the sandpaper incident.

“And here’s the coach of the Australian cricket team who brought sandpaper onto the field and denied knowing about it. I’m very angry with Darren Lehmann in that respect,” Broad said.

KHAWAJ’S EXPLOSIVE CLAIMS

The latest controversy stems from Khawaja’s autobiography, Sabr, in which the Australian batsman questioned the manner of the 2018 scandal he was investigated and punished.

Khawaja claimed that responsibility for the incident was collective and questioned why Smith, Warner and Bancroft shouldered the blame when, according to his account, awareness of the ball-tampering episode spread through the dressing room and support staff.

Khawaja claimed in his book that Australia also used sandpaper during the second Test in Gqeberha before the incident came to light in Cape Town. He suggested that the plan was not limited to a handful of players and that the responsibility should be taken by a wider group.

The former Australian batsman also asked A Cricket Australia investigation claims several members of the squad were not interviewed despite allegedly knowing about the incident.

His revelation extended beyond the tour of South Africa. Khawaja also claimed Australia’s attempts to change the condition of the ball during the 2017-18 home Ashes series, claiming the players lifted the fourth seam to induce reverse swing. Australia won the third Test in Perth by an innings, helping them reclaim the Ashes.

Meanwhile, Lehmann put pressure on Khawaja’s account. The former Australia coach disputed the suggestion that everyone in the team knew about the use of sandpaper, saying he could only speak about what he personally knew.

Broad found an unlikely ally in former Australian opener David Warner, who also backed Khawaja’s revelations about the 2018 tour.

In response to Broad’s comments on X, Warner expressed his approval, writing: “I couldn’t agree more, and that’s hard for me to say!” Image: (Screengrab from X/@davidwarner31)

The revelations have reopened uncomfortable questions about one of Australian cricket’s darkest episodes. Almost nine years after the Cape Town Test, the debate has moved beyond Smith, Warner and Bancroft to the wider team environment and the responsibilities of those in positions of authority. With Khawaja challenging the findings of the original inquiry and Broad questioning Lehmann’s role, Sandpapergate continues to cast a shadow over Australian cricket.

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