Khawaja's sandpaper claims draw Lehmann denial as Cricket Australia backs findings

Usman Khawaja has alleged that knowledge of Australia's 2018 sandpaper scheme extended throughout the touring party, challenging the account that led to sanctions against three players. ABC News reported that the former Test batter made the claims to Nine newspapers ahead of his book Sabr, including an allegation that sandpaper was used before the Cape Town Test.

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According to ABC's account of the book, Khawaja says the tactic was discussed during the preceding Test in Port Elizabeth, now called Gqeberha. He alleges that Steve Smith left those discussions and that Cameron Bancroft volunteered to use sandpaper in that match. These are Khawaja's claims, not new findings announced by Cricket Australia.

Bancroft received a nine-month suspension after the Cape Town incident, while then-captain Smith and vice-captain David Warner were banned for 12 months. Khawaja's account also conflicts with the public position of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, who denied knowing about the plan in a joint statement in 2021.

Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann disputed the suggestion that everyone knew. Speaking to ABC Sport's Summer Grandstand, he denied personally knowing sandpaper was being used and questioned whether the whole camp could have been aware. Although he described ball tampering as widespread in cricket at the time, he said that did not make it acceptable.

Lehmann also said he could neither confirm nor deny Khawaja's account of urging the players to accept responsibility together after Bancroft was caught. He said he had not been present for that discussion and had spent considerable time in meetings with Cricket Australia. He also denied awareness of an alleged conversation involving Bancroft and a coaching staff member.

Cricket Australia, meanwhile, defended its original investigation. In a statement reported by ABC, a spokesperson said relevant information received so far had been considered and that the governing body continued to support its integrity findings. The spokesperson added that people could still submit relevant information, leaving that avenue open despite the organisation's unchanged position on the investigation.