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Cricket Australia (CA) has been in turmoil over the latest comments of Usman Khawaja on the Sandpaper Gate Scandal, which stirred up the incident of 2018 in South Africa once again. The former cricketers and current cricketers are disappointed with the former opener’s comments, and now the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) has shared its insights on Usman Khawaja's claims.
Every Australia cricketers from former to current, has been questioned by the media, to share their thoughts on Khawaja’s latest statement on one of Australia’s darkest scandal in the history of the game. However, in a surprising manner, some cricketers have backed the Southpaw, with one of them being involved in the incident, former opener David Warner.
"Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft paid an enormous price": Paul Marsh, ACA CEO, on Sandpaper Gate Scandal
Paul Marsh, who is the CEO of the Australian Cricketers' Association, has dropped an official statement on the ongoing controversy between Usman Khawaja and other cricketers. He stated via a post on social media that the three cricketers, Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, have already been punished. He also stated that cricketers have the right to share their experience.
Marsh said via X (formerly Twitter), "The events of the 2018 South African tour were a low point for Australian cricket. Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft paid an enormous price for what happened. One that was greater than and, as the ACA said at the time, disproportionate to any precedent in the game."
Statement from ACA CEO, Paul Marsh. https://t.co/xFkC7p4cpi
— Australian Cricketers' Association (@ACA_Players) November 10, 2026
"Eight years on, it is understandable that those involved may have different recollections and perspectives of what took place. Players and staff at the heart of the issue are entitled to share their experiences, just as others are entitled to put such a challenging period in their life behind them."
"There are no winners in this issue": Paul Marsh on Usman Khawaja's latest comments
The statement by Paul Marsh replying to Usman Khawaja’s latest comments states that there is no particular winner in this, and what happened back in 2018 cannot be undone. But ACA will be making sure that the issue is resolved as soon as possible, and the ACA will not comment on any individual.
Paul Marsh further added, "There are no winners in this issue, and nothing can undo what happened. But we must recognise that there are humans in the centre of this and we will be calling for the ongoing vitriol directed at those involved to come to an end. The price paid, both professionally and personally, has already been too great."
"The ACA will not be commenting on individual accounts of what took place. The ACA's role is to support our members and we have been in contact with all players on that tour to offer our support. This support extends to all members of the ACA and their families."
What happened in South Africa in 2018 and what did Usman Khawaja say?
Usman Khawaja was part of the 2018 team when the Sandpapergate Scandal happened in South Africa. Then, captain Steve Smith, opener David Warner, and batter Cameron Bancroft handed 12-month bans to Smith and Warner and a 9-month ban to Bancroft.
Right ahead of Khawaja’s autobiography release, named ‘Sabr’, the opener revealed that not only the three who were suspended for the incident, but the whole team, along with the coaching staff, knew everything.
