Cricket Australia (CA) has responded after former Australian opener David Warner accused the board of covering up key details during its investigation into the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Warner questioned why Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were allegedly not interviewed during the inquiry.
The controversy resurfaced in November 2026 after former opener Usman Khawaja released his autobiography, Sabr: Finding My Way in Cricket and Life. Khawaja made fresh claims about the team's knowledge of the 2018 sandpaper incident, prompting reactions from members of the Australian squad at the time.
"That Stinks Of a Cover Up" - David Warner Questions Credibility of CA's Original Investigation
David Warner took to Instagram on Saturday afternoon and questioned the credibility of CA's original investigation. He claimed that the board had not interviewed Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon before concluding that the bowlers had no knowledge of the ball-tampering plan.
"As far as I am aware, CA did not interview Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc or Nathan Lyon in their 2018 investigation. If that's correct, then how can CA push the idea that the bowlers didn't know?
"It looks like they had decided who they wanted to blame from the very beginning ran a shoddy investigation to serve the purpose and now they want to maintain the false narrative that the bowlers had no idea. That stinks of a cover up."
Cricket Australia Responds to David Warner's Allegations of a Cover-Up
CA responded to Warner's allegations through a spokesperson but did not clarify whether the three bowlers had been formally interviewed. The board stated that all players had an opportunity to share their accounts during the original investigation and could still present new evidence.
"As we have stated previously, all players were given the opportunity to speak at the time of the initial investigation and have had the ability to come forward with new evidence in the eight years since."
"Subsequently, CA has respected every player and former players right to provide their own version of events."
CA CEO Todd Greenberg has also said that the governing body sees no grounds to reopen the original investigation or launch a fresh inquiry.
Usman Khawaja's Autobiography Brings Fresh Claims About Australia's Ball-Tampering Scandal
Usman Khawaja's autobiography has reignited the debate over how many members of the Australia team knew about the use of sandpaper. He alleged that the entire dressing room, including players and coaching staff, was aware of the illegal tactic during the 2018 tour of South Africa.
Khawaja also alleged that Bancroft had used sandpaper during the second Test in Port Elizabeth after picking up the ball near the boundary when the umpires left it unattended.
The original ball-tampering incident took place on March 24, 2018, during the third Test between Australia and South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town. Television footage showed Bancroft using a piece of yellow sandpaper to rough up one side of the ball in an attempt to generate reverse swing.
After umpires questioned him, Bancroft produced a black sunglasses pouch before later admitting to using sandpaper during the post-match press conference. CA launched an investigation and identified Warner as the main architect of the plan, with then-captain Steve Smith aware of it.
CA handed Warner and Smith 12-month suspensions from international and domestic cricket. Warner also received a permanent ban from holding leadership positions in Australian cricket.
Smith was barred from leadership roles for an additional year after his suspension. Bancroft received a nine-month suspension and a 12-month leadership ban following his return. Australia's head coach at the time, Darren Lehmann, stepped down from his position after the series.
Also read: "You have to have evidence”: Pat Cummins hits back at Usman Khawaja’s racism allegation
