Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inRory DollardSaturday 07 November 2026 15:36 GMTUsman Khawaja (Getty)Usman Khawaja has revealed in his new autobiography that the entire Australian cricket team and coaching staff were aware of the 2018 sandpaper ball-tampering plot during their tour of South Africa.The former Australian batsman disclosed that the illegal tactic was initially used during the previous Test match in Gqeberha, whilst also alleging that Cricket Australia never interviewed him during their official investigation.The 2018 Cape Town scandal originally resulted in lengthy suspensions for captain Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft, with key bowlers previously issuing a 2021 statement denying any knowledge of the scheme.Khawaja explained that he had urged the squad to accept collective responsibility as a team in the immediate aftermath, adding that he felt duty-bound to finally reveal the truth after eight years to deliver justice for his former team-mates.Current Australia captain Pat Cummins alongside bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are presently rested from the white-ball series against England, temporarily shielding them from media questioning regarding these new allegations.In fullUsman Khawaja reveals true extent of Australia’s sandpaper scandal: ‘It was all of us’More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in