Cricket Australia, led by Todd Greenberg, on Tuesday, refused to reopen the controversial cheating case involving sandpaper in their 2018 match. Greenberg stated that he has not found any compelling reason to initiate a new investigation into the matter, despite claims by former national team player Usman Khawaja, who stated that the scheme was widely known among team members.
Usman Khawaja's Claims and Reactions
Usman Khawaja, who retired this year after 88 international matches, stated in his autobiography titled "The Patient" published on Tuesday, that awareness of the scheme was not limited to a few players. This book has reignited discussions about the scandal, in which Australian players were caught using sandpaper to alter the ball against South Africa in the third Test in Cape Town.
Cricket Australia's Position and Previous Outcomes
Greenberg also mentioned that he would review Khawaja's statements, which David Warner, another team player, called "one hundred percent accurate" on Monday. However, he emphasized that no further action is necessary. He told radio station SEN: "We see no compelling reason to reopen the investigation or review this matter. I don't think anything will come of it."
Following the cheating revelation, Steven Smith, Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were shamefully removed from the team. Cricket Australia's investigation found that these three were the only players aware of the scheme. Smith was banned for a year and removed as captain, Bancroft received a nine-month ban, and Warner was banned for 12 months and barred from leadership roles.
Khawaja, in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald over the weekend, said: "We were all involved in this matter. Not just the batsmen, not just the bowlers, not just the staff. All of us." While current captain Pat Cummins and other bowlers like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon publicly denied awareness of the scheme in 2021, former coach Darren Lehmann also claimed that there was no widespread awareness among players.
Warner, who retired in 2024 after 112 matches, supported Khawaja in an Instagram video on Monday, stating: "It is one hundred percent true what you have said. Now everyone knows the truth. This is not about reopening old wounds. It is about recognizing that some wounds were never properly healed."
