Warner backs Khawaja's claim that whole Australia team knew of 2018 ball-tampering plan

As reported by Al Jazeera, BBC Sport and The Guardian (Sport). The allegations below are theirs, not Vocemundi's.

Former Australia opener David Warner said on Monday that Usman Khawaja's account of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal is "100% accurate". He made the comments in a video posted on Instagram. Al Jazeera, BBC Sport and The Guardian each reported on the video.

In material from his autobiography, Khawaja has said that knowledge of the plan went beyond the three banned players to the whole team. According to Al Jazeera and The Guardian, his claims were first published on Saturday.

In the video, Warner thanked Khawaja and expressed support for him. The two are childhood friends. Warner also called Cricket Australia's interview process after the incident "rushed and botched". He said Khawaja, who was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft, was not interviewed. Al Jazeera quoted him as adding: "How is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me."

Warner, then-captain Steve Smith and Bancroft were banned or suspended over the use of sandpaper on the ball. This happened during the third Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town, in 2018. According to BBC Sport, Warner and Smith were banned for a year and Bancroft for nine months. According to Al Jazeera, Cricket Australia's investigation concluded that prior knowledge was confined to those three players. The Guardian reports that the investigation identified Warner as the ringleader.

Warner, 40, retired from international cricket in 2024. According to The Guardian, the video was his first public comment on the scandal since 2018. BBC Sport reports that Warner said he delayed responding so he could explain the incident to his daughters.

What is disputed

Khawaja says the whole team knew, and Warner backs him. In a 2021 joint statement, the bowlers in that Test, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, said they "did not know a foreign substance was taken on to the field", according to BBC Sport. Cummins is now Australia's Test captain.

What each side says

According to BBC Sport, Khawaja said he was shocked not to be asked for evidence. The Guardian quoted him as saying: "But I still don’t think it’s right that those three boys copped all of the brunt."

BBC Sport quoted Warner as saying: "Perhaps it's time people stop scrutinising the person asking for accountability and start asking those responsible for the investigation to provide it."

Cricket Australia said in a statement after Khawaja's claims were published that it remains "comfortable with the findings of our integrity process", according to The Guardian. It added that the opportunity to present relevant information remains open. According to Al Jazeera, Cricket Australia had not commented on Warner's video at the time of publication.

Before Khawaja's claims were published, Cummins said Khawaja had contacted him about the book. The Guardian quoted Cummins as saying: "Tell your story. It’s fine."

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include responses from Smith, Bancroft, Starc, Hazlewood or Lyon.

Vocemundi note: this story relays allegations published by Al Jazeera, BBC Sport and The Guardian (Sport). Vocemundi did not have access to the underlying evidence or documents and has not independently verified these claims. The people and organisations named are presumed innocent; their response is included where it was available.

Analysis

The dispute now sets the accounts of two former players against Cricket Australia's findings and a 2021 statement by four current Test regulars. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not describe evidence beyond Khawaja's account and Warner's endorsement. BBC Sport reports that Cricket Australia has not said it will re-open its investigation into the events at Newlands. One possible scenario is that the governing body maintains its position and invites any new information. Another is that pressure builds for a formal review. Players who were in Cape Town, including ODI captain Mitchell Marsh, may face questions, as The Guardian reports Marsh is due to speak to the media on Thursday.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.