Cricket Australia has ruled out reopening its investigation into the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal despite fresh allegations from former Test opener Usman Khawaja, while Mitchell Starc has maintained that Australia’s bowlers had no prior knowledge of sandpaper being used during the Cape Town Test.
The controversy surrounding Khawaja’s autobiography _Sabr_ has drawn responses from Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg, former Australia Captain Michael Clarke and former Australia women’s Captain Alyssa Healy. Their differing positions have brought renewed attention to the original investigation, the responsibility of Australia’s current leadership and the lasting consequences of Sandpapergate.
While Greenberg maintains that the governing body’s findings remain sound, Clarke has questioned whether Australian cricket can move forward without establishing a fuller account of what happened. Khawaja, meanwhile, has rejected accusations that he revived the controversy to promote his book, which also contains allegations of racial abuse at Lord’s during the 2023 Ashes.
Cricket Australia rules out another Sandpapergate investigation
Greenberg has made clear that Cricket Australia does not intend to launch a fresh inquiry into the events of 2018.
Speaking to SEN, the CEO said: “We don’t see any compelling reason to open the investigation or revisit this again.”
The governing body’s position follows the publication of Khawaja’s account and renewed criticism of the scope of the original integrity process.
Greenberg added: “We have said we’re comfortable with the outcome of the investigation based on the information we’ve received. That includes what we’ve seen from Usman. Our position hasn’t changed on that.”
As previously reported by cricexec, Khawaja alleges that sandpaper was used during the second Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth, before Bancroft was caught attempting to alter the ball at Newlands. He has also questioned why he was not interviewed during Cricket Australia’s investigation despite sitting beside Bancroft in the dressing room.
The 2018 investigation resulted in 12-month suspensions for then-Captain Steve Smith and David Warner, while Bancroft received a nine-month ban. Warner has subsequently supported Khawaja’s account and challenged the thoroughness of the investigation, adding to the pressure on Cricket Australia to explain why its original conclusions should remain definitive.
Greenberg has nevertheless distinguished Khawaja’s recollections from the accounts provided by others involved in the scandal.
He noted: “When you cut to the core of the challenge that we face here, Usman’s version of events is inconsistent with what others have had to say.”
That disagreement leaves Cricket Australia defending an investigation whose findings continue to be contested by individuals who were part of the touring party. For the governing body, the immediate decision is settled: the latest disclosures have not changed its position on reopening the case.
Starc maintains his denial of prior knowledge
Starc, who was part of Australia’s bowling attack during the 2018 South Africa tour, has maintained the position he adopted alongside Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon five years ago.
Speaking to reporters in Sydney, the fast bowler said: “I won’t speak on behalf of the bowlers but from where I stand my opinion hasn’t changed, my recollection hasn’t changed from what we said in 2021.”
The four bowlers issued a joint statement in 2021 after Cameron Bancroft’s comments revived speculation about how widely the ball-tampering operation was understood within the Australian dressing room.
In that statement, they maintained: “We did not know a foreign substance was taken onto the field to alter the condition of the ball until we saw the images on the big screen at Newlands.”
Starc reiterated that account when questioned about the latest revelations, adding: “We weren’t aware of anything taken on the field to be tampered with. We saw it on the big screen in Cape Town.”
Khawaja’s autobiography has introduced a further point of disagreement by alleging that sandpaper was used during the preceding Test in Port Elizabeth, rather than first being deployed in Cape Town.
Asked about that allegation, Starc responded: “That’s the first I was aware of any of that.”
The fast bowler has not examined Khawaja’s published account himself. Addressing the autobiography, he said: “As far as the book is concerned, I haven’t read it. I probably won’t read it, so that’s for Usman to elaborate on.”
The distinction between Khawaja’s allegations and the bowlers’ position remains significant. Their public denials concern knowledge of a foreign substance being taken onto the field, while Khawaja has also raised questions about earlier dressing-room discussions and the broader responsibility of the touring party.
Clarke calls for answers from Cummins
Clarke has taken a sharply different position, calling for the investigation to be revisited and questioning the absence of a fresh public response from Australia’s current Captain, Cummins.
The former Australia Captain has argued that the competing accounts have left supporters uncertain about what actually occurred.
Speaking to 2DayFM about the need for further scrutiny, Clarke said: “\[Australia fans\] can’t trust what’s real. They don’t know the truth until this gets reopened and the truth comes out. I would just like to see whatever the truth is for it all to come out, allow people to move on.”
Clarke’s concerns extend beyond the original disciplinary findings to the consequences the scandal had for Australia’s leadership.
He added: “I can’t believe we haven’t heard from Cummins yet. Steve Smith lost his job. If this doesn’t happen, Tim Paine never captains Australia. And neither does Cummins.”
Smith’s removal as Captain in 2018 led to a succession of leadership changes, with Paine subsequently taking charge before Cummins assumed the role.
Clarke has also challenged the idea that the current Captain can remain outside the renewed public discussion simply because the events preceded his appointment.
He told 2DayFM’s Breakfast with Nath & Emma: “He is the leader of that ship. You’ve got to front the media. In cricket the captain is the leader.”
Cummins was among the four bowlers who signed the 2021 statement rejecting prior knowledge of sandpaper being taken onto the field. Before Australia’s recent South Africa series, he had also acknowledged Khawaja’s right to tell his story while maintaining that the team had moved on from the scandal.
The latest disagreement has therefore placed Cummins in a difficult position: he is both a member of the bowling group whose account is being questioned and the current leader of a team Cricket Australia wants to keep focused on its upcoming commitments.
Healy expresses concern over the renewed controversy
Healy has offered a more cautious response, acknowledging her personal connection to the issue as Starc’s wife while expressing concern about the impact of revisiting events from eight years ago.
The former Australia women’s Captain addressed the controversy in media appearances as the debate surrounding _Sabr_ intensified.
Discussing her position at a Kayo Sports and Fox Cricket launch event., Healy said: “It’s a hard one to comment on. At the moment, I feel slightly conflicted, and I’m in the middle of it. It’s hard to make a comment on it. We’ll see where it goes and if Cricket Australia take it forward, or how it unfolds through the media, and I’ll make a comment from there. For now, I’m just going to sit back and watch it unfold.”
Her response reflects the competing considerations surrounding the controversy, particularly for those with close personal connections to members of the 2018 touring party.
Healy also expressed support for Greenberg’s decision not to reopen the investigation.
She added: “I watched it eight years ago too. I think the game of cricket as a whole has moved on. Todd Greenberg’s statement about not looking into it any further is a great sign of where we’re headed, and that’s moving forward and looking ahead to this summer.”
The former Captain has also highlighted the personal consequences for those whose names have returned to public discussion.
She continued: “I feel for everyone involved. There’s a human element to it as well. People are being dragged back through some difficult memories and reliving experiences they’d probably rather leave behind. From a human perspective, we’ve got to remember that and support the people whose names are being mentioned.”
Healy’s comments add another dimension to the disagreement between those seeking further accountability and those who believe Australian cricket should leave the matter behind.
Khawaja rejects claims that the revelations were intended to sell his book
Khawaja has responded directly to criticism surrounding the timing and commercial motivations of his disclosures.
In an Instagram video released alongside the publication of _Sabr_, the former Australia opener challenged suggestions that he had negotiated the inclusion of Sandpapergate material to increase sales.
Addressing those accusations, Khawaja said: “Lots of people are saying I used sandpaper for my book sales or work to deal with Penguin — that is 100 per cent false.”
He explained that his agreement with publisher Penguin was reached in 2023, well before the autobiography was completed.
Khawaja added: “So, here are the facts: I signed with them in 2023 and all they said to me was, ‘Tell your story’.”
The former opener has maintained that he retained editorial control over the manuscript rather than working to a list of subjects requested by the publisher.
He continued: “I did not negotiate a thing with Penguin when it came to sandpaper or any other topics of my life. We didn’t even talk about it.”
Khawaja also described the circumstances in which the completed manuscript was shared.
He stated: “Just over two years later I handed them my final draft, this was the first time I’d shown any of them my book.”
His explanation comes after Warner publicly endorsed his version of events and after several former players questioned why he had waited until retirement to disclose his recollections.
The dispute over the book’s timing is separate from the unresolved factual disagreement over the scandal itself. Khawaja’s account of the publishing process addresses his stated motivations, while Cricket Australia’s decision not to reopen its investigation leaves the competing recollections of 2018 unchanged.
Khawaja details alleged racial abuse at Lord’s
Beyond Sandpapergate, _Sabr_ contains allegations about Khawaja’s treatment by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) members during the 2023 Ashes Test at Lord’s, according to a report by Cricinfo.
The incident followed the controversial dismissal of England batter Jonny Bairstow, who was stumped by Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey after leaving his crease. As Australia’s players made their way through the Long Room, they encountered an angry reaction from members.
Recalling the confrontation in his autobiography, Khawaja wrote: “We didn’t realise what was waiting for us in the Long Room. Unfortunately, the MCC members in the room that day showed their true colours.”
His account describes sustained verbal abuse, allegations that members attempted to trip him and Warner, and a racist insult directed at him as the players passed through the room.
Describing the atmosphere, Khawaja wrote: “It was like a pack of dogs about to feast on their next meals. They were in unison, swearing. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.”
Khawaja said he was unable to identify with certainty the individual responsible for the racist remark. His account also describes concern about the experience of family members present at Lord’s.
The MCC subsequently took disciplinary action against three members over their conduct during the confrontation. One was expelled, while the other two received suspensions of four-and-a-half years and two-and-a-half years respectively.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Khawaja expressed a willingness to consider reconciliation with members who demonstrated genuine remorse. In comments he recounted making to MCC Chair Mark Nicholas, he wrote: “I believe they deserve another chance, as long as they’ve learned and are remorseful.”
The Lord’s revelations broaden the scope of Khawaja’s autobiography beyond the events of 2018, bringing attention to his experiences of hostility and racism during his international career.
Cricket Australia maintains its position as scrutiny continues
The responses to _Sabr_ have exposed a clear divide over how Australian cricket should address its past.
Starc continues to stand by the bowlers’ 2021 account, while Greenberg has ruled out reopening Cricket Australia’s investigation. Clarke is pressing for further examination and a response from Cummins, whereas Healy has emphasised the personal toll of returning to the controversy.
Khawaja has defended his decision to publish his recollections and rejected claims that the Sandpapergate disclosures were shaped by a commercial arrangement with his publisher.
For now, Cricket Australia’s position remains unchanged. Despite the renewed questions, the governing body has confirmed that it is satisfied with the findings of its original investigation and sees no compelling basis for another inquiry.
