Khawaja says knowledge of 2018 ball-tampering discussions extended beyond three sanctioned players

Sport · First reported 6 Nov, 22:06 · Updated 22:22

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Ysherazi · CC BY-SA 4.0

Usman Khawaja says discussions about using sandpaper to alter the ball during Australia’s 2018 South Africa tour involved more of the team than Cricket Australia’s investigation concluded. The governing body says it remains comfortable with its findings, which identified Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft as having prior knowledge of the scheme.

Khawaja says the team discussed ways to scuff the ball, including with sandpaper, and that the conversations extended beyond batters to bowlers and staff.
He says sandpaper was used during the second Test in Port Elizabeth, before cameras showed Bancroft handling an object during the third Test in Cape Town.
Cricket Australia’s 2018 investigation found prior knowledge of the scheme among Smith, Warner and Bancroft, who received playing bans.
Cricket Australia says it has considered relevant information and remains comfortable with the findings of its integrity process.
Former coach Darren Lehmann said he did not believe everyone in the touring party knew about the plot; he had been cleared of direct involvement and resigned after the series.

Summary written by Lux AI from 6 articles

Key facts

Tour: Australia’s South Africa tour took place in 2018; the Cape Town Test was in March.
Khawaja’s claim: He says discussion of using sandpaper to scuff the ball extended throughout the team.
Investigation finding: Cricket Australia’s probe identified Smith, Warner and Bancroft as having prior knowledge.
Penalties: Smith and Warner received 12-month suspensions, and Bancroft received a nine-month ban.
Series result: South Africa won the four-Test series 3–1.