Khawaja alleges wider sandpaper knowledge as Lehmann denies awareness

Usman Khawaja has alleged that knowledge of Australia's use of sandpaper during the 2018 tour of South Africa extended across the touring party, reopening a dispute over responsibility for the scandal. ABC News reported the claims from his book Sabr and an interview with Nine newspapers.

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Khawaja's account says sandpaper was used in the second Test at Port Elizabeth, before Cameron Bancroft was caught during the third Test in Cape Town. He alleges Bancroft volunteered after dressing-room discussions, while Steve Smith left those discussions indicating he did not want to know. These remain Khawaja's claims, rather than new findings from an investigation.

Cricket Australia said it stands by its original integrity findings and remains willing to receive relevant information. Bancroft received a nine-month suspension, while Smith and David Warner were banned for 12 months. ABC reported that Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon publicly denied prior knowledge in 2021.

Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann disputed the suggestion that everyone knew about the sandpaper plan. In a separate ABC report on his interview with Summer Grandstand, Lehmann denied personal knowledge and questioned whether all members of the camp could have been aware. He said he could speak only for himself, rather than establish what individual players knew.

Lehmann also addressed Khawaja's account of urging the players to accept collective responsibility after Bancroft was caught. He said he had not been present for that discussion and could neither confirm nor deny it. He recalled multiple meetings and two changing rooms, saying much of his time was spent in discussions with Cricket Australia during the aftermath.

The former coach, who stepped down following the scandal, said Khawaja had not contacted him before the claims became public. Lehmann described the renewed attention as difficult for those involved and their families. He also argued that ball tampering had been widespread in cricket at the time, while acknowledging that this did not make the practice acceptable.