David Warner was absent from Fox Cricket’s coverage of the second ODI between Australia and England on Sunday, shortly after renewing his criticism of Cricket Australia over the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley confirmed that the former opener missed the broadcast due to a family commitment.
Usman Khawaja’s autobiography, Sabr, has brought fresh claims about the original investigation back into focus. The incident in Cape Town led to suspensions for Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, while the Australian bowling group, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, denied knowing about the plan.
David Warner Misses Australia vs England ODI Amid Sandpapergate Fallout
David Warner’s absence from the commentary box at Adelaide Oval came amid renewed scrutiny of his public remarks about Cricket Australia’s investigation.
However, Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley clarified that the former Australian batter had travelled to Sydney for a family commitment and would return to the broadcast later in the week.
"Dave went home from Perth to Sydney for a family commitment last night. He will be back on Fox Cricket Wednesday in Hobart for the third ODI."
Warner Demands Answers From Cricket Australia Over Bowler Interviews
David Warner had claimed on Friday that the three frontline bowlers were not interviewed, describing the investigation as a “botched” process that appeared to be a “cover-up.”
After media reports confirmed that the bowlers had been interviewed, Warner returned to Instagram on Sunday to clarify his earlier comments and question why he had not received the information at the time.
"Just to clarify 'As far as I am aware' was the POINT," David Warner wrote.
"I was never told the bowlers had been interviewed or provided statements. That information would've been pretty useful when I was forced to make decisions back in 2018. Why weren't we given all the evidence by CA?"
DAVID WARNER'S LATEST INSTAGRAM POST. https://t.co/OMrxtK7ebD
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) November 15, 2026
Cricket Australia responded to Warner’s initial allegations on Friday but did not directly confirm or deny them. A spokesperson said that all players had been given an opportunity to speak during the original investigation and could provide further information in the years that followed.
“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,” a CA spokesperson said, as per the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Subsequently, CA has respected every player and former players’ right to provide their own version of events," the statement added.
Usman Khawaja’s Autobiography Brings 2018 Ball-Tampering Scandal Back Into Focus
The controversy resurfaced after Usman Khawaja made several claims in his autobiography. He alleged that the entire Australian team knew about the ball-tampering plan and claimed the side had used similar tactics in the past. Pat Cummins rejected the allegations, describing them as “complete nonsense”.
During the Test against South Africa at Newlands in March 2018, television cameras caught Bancroft using sandpaper on the ball and hiding it inside his trousers. David Warner stepped down as Australia’s vice-captain before the final sanctions were announced.
On March 30, he addressed the media, apologised publicly and accepted responsibility for his role in the incident. Cricket Australia handed Warner and Smith 12-month suspensions, while Bancroft received a nine-month ban. Warner was also given a permanent leadership ban, while Smith lost the captaincy.
In 2021, the Australian bowling group, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, released a joint statement firmly denying any knowledge that sandpaper had been taken onto the field.
Also read: Cricket Australia breaks silence after David Warner questions 2018 ball-tampering investigation
