Usman Khawaja cancels book talks after TV appearance goes badly wrong
Under fire Usman Khawaja has pulled out of TV and book interviews after his chat with broadcaster Sarah Ferguson went horribly wrong on Tuesday 10 November.
Khawaja, who was on the show to promote his new book Sabr, was grilled on ABC’s 7.30 show about his claims regarding the Sandpapergate controversy. Khawaja dodged most of the questions surrounding his now-viral revelations about Australia’s 2018 tour of South Africa.
Khawaja’s low-key interview faced widespread criticism online, with many slamming the former Australian batsman for not speaking up during the televised appearance.
After the interview, Australian media reports suggest that Khawaja not only refused to do any more television interviews, but also canceled several book-related interviews.
ABC Sport reported that Penguin, Khawaja’s publisher, confirmed that there would be adjustments to his book tours and speaking engagements, although it did not specify exactly which appearances were involved.
“The book tour is 100 (percent) still going on, we just had to make some adjustments this week, but no major tour cancellations at all,” the publisher said in a statement.
KHAWAJA DUCKS THE WARNER QUESTION
Khawaja’s appearance on the ABC’s 7.30 program was supposed to be an opportunity to promote his book and explain his account of the infamous tour of South Africa in 2018. Instead, it turned into an uncomfortable exchange as Ferguson repeatedly pressed him on some of the most controversial claims in Sabr.
At the center of the controversy is Khawaja’s suggestion that the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town was not limited to just the three players who were eventually punished. He claimed that multiple members of the Australian team knew about the use of sandpaper to change the condition of the ball, including during the previous Test in Port Elizabeth.
Khawaja stopped short of naming individuals, insisting that he was simply sharing what he witnessed and experienced. However, his account has raised questions about the involvement and knowledge of several former teammates.
Ferguson began by citing David Warner’s public support for Khawaja’s version of events. The former Australian opener also suggested that the lies would eventually come out, prompting the broadcaster to ask Khawaj what lies he had in mind.
“I will not speak for Davey. I have tried my best to tell my story in an open and safe environment. There is no easy way to do that, but I want to say that I am not here to inflame the situation further,” Khawaja replied.
He claimed he was only trying to share his version of events and stand up for Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, the three players who were punished in the wake of the scandal.
KHAWAJA ON THE BACK FOOT
Ferguson then turned to a joint statement issued by four Australian bowlers, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon in 2021. The foursome denied any knowledge that sandpaper had been applied to the pitch during the Cape Town Test.
Khawaja, who wrote in his book that he was unhappy with the bowlers’ statement, was asked if their account was incorrect.
He refused to give a direct answer, instead reiterating that he had already shared what he knew about the previous Test in Port Elizabeth.
“I’ll say again that I’ve commented on what happened in the game before. I’ve been very open and honest about what I’ve seen and the conversations I’ve had,” he said.
Khawaja also admitted to being deliberately vague about certain aspects of his account.
“Sometimes I’m very specific about things and sometimes I’m a little vague about things and I do that on purpose because I’m trying to tell a story,” he said.
Ferguson went on to ask if the four pitchers had engaged in ball-tampering conversations.
“I just won’t go, I won’t entertain it,” Khawaja replied.
KHAWAJA AVOIDED A DIRECT QUESTION ON CUMMINS
The most unpleasant exchange came when Ferguson directly asked whether Cummins, Australia’s current Test captain, had any prior knowledge of the sandpaper used to modify the ball.
“I’m not going to answer that,” Khawaja said.
He added that he had written what he wanted in his book and had already shared his account of the events. Khawaja also referenced former teammate Chadd Sayers, who recently backed up some of his claims.
However, Ferguson pointed out a contradiction in Khawaja’s attitude. While he insisted he was not pointing fingers, his account suggested responsibility for the scandal went beyond the three players who were punished.
She also asked if the wider Australian playing group and coaching staff had any prior knowledge of using sandpaper.
Again avoiding a direct answer, Khawaja said he was telling his story and hoped others would come forward and speak honestly.
“I mean, I wrote in my account from what I saw. People want to know answers and a lot of different answers. And in some ways I left it open because I told my story and I told my truth and I’m going to speak for myself,” he said.
“I hope more people will come forward and talk about it honestly. I hope so. But I’m not forcing anyone to do anything.”
FAILURE TO CONDUCT A WITCH HUNT: KHAWAJA
During the interview, Khawaja maintained that he was not conducting a witch hunt against his former teammates and was not calling for Cricket Australia to reopen its investigation into the scandal.
He also stood by his view that the bans given to Smith, Warner and Bancroft were excessive. Smith and Warner received 12-month suspensions, while Bancroft was banned for nine months.
“I am not calling for anything. I am literally sharing my version of the truth,” Khawaja said.
Cricket Australia, meanwhile, said it remained satisfied with the findings of its original investigation, while acknowledging there were differing memories of some events.
“The three players who received bans following the Cape Town Test have acknowledged their breaches and accepted the penalties imposed,” a CA spokesman said.
“We recognize that the investigation was conducted in a short time frame with the upcoming Test match and that there are differing views on some matters including the length of the sanctions imposed. We respect that the players have different recollections of events from this time.”
“However, we remain satisfied that the findings of the investigation accurately reflect the statements and evidence provided at the time.”
Ferguson also questioned Khawaja about his suggestion that racial prejudice may have played a role in him not being considered for Australia’s interim captaincy in Smith’s absence in 2018.
Khawaja admitted that he had no concrete evidence to support the claim, explaining that it was based on how he felt at the time.
The broadcaster also asked about his relationship with Cummins, given that the Australian captain’s reputation has been mired in controversy.
“I’m not sure,” replied Khawaja. “But I’ve been friends with Pat for a long time. I’ve spoken my truth and at the end of the day I’ve given my reasons. I think some of the things I’ve always stood for — my values and what I think is right. Yeah, there’s no ideal way to do it, but I can’t speak for Pat.”
– The end