David Warner backs Khawaja’s account of 2018 ball-tampering scandal

David Warner has backed Usman Khawaja’s account of Australia’s 2018 ball-tampering scandal, challenging the investigation that followed the Cape Town Test. According to BBC Sport, Warner used an Instagram video statement to support his former team-mate after Khawaja alleged that the entire Australian team knew sandpaper was being used to alter the ball. That allegation remains disputed by the bowlers.

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The original incident occurred during the third Test against South Africa at Newlands. Australia were found to have used sandpaper to change the condition of the ball, and three batters received bans. Warner and then-captain Steve Smith were suspended for a year, while Cameron Bancroft was banned for nine months. Warner retired from international cricket in 2024.

Khawaja said last week that he had expected the full account to emerge during the eight years since the scandal. He also expressed surprise that Cricket Australia had not asked him to give evidence in its investigation. Warner endorsed his version of events and questioned the process, saying Khawaja had been sitting beside Bancroft but was not interviewed. Warner also said Khawaja had recorded details from the day onwards.

The claims conflict with the position previously set out by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon. In a joint statement in 2021, the four bowlers denied knowing that a foreign substance had been brought on to the field. BBC Sport reported that all four remain regular members of Australia’s Test side, with Cummins having held the captaincy since 2021.

Cricket Australia has not announced that it will reopen the investigation. In its response to Khawaja’s allegations, the governing body said relevant information could still be submitted and that material already provided had been properly considered. It maintained its confidence in the findings of the integrity process, while acknowledging the extensive speculation and reporting about the episode over the intervening years.

Warner said his intervention was intended to seek accountability and transparency around the investigation. He explained that he had delayed responding publicly to Khawaja because he first wanted to discuss the incident with his daughters. His statement adds support to Khawaja’s allegations, but does not resolve the disagreement between that account, the bowlers’ denials and Cricket Australia’s continuing defence of its findings.