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The controversy surrounding Australia's 2018 ball-tampering scandal has resurfaced following fresh revelations in Usman Khawaja's autobiography, Sabr. The former opener has claimed that the knowledge of the sandpaper plan extended beyond Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner, putting the conduct of the wider touring group under renewed scrutiny.
Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was in office when the scandal broke, has now responded to Usman Khawaja's allegations. Turnbull rejected the suggestion that his strong public reaction was politically motivated, while former cricketers Michael Vaughan, Mark Waugh and Aakash Chopra have also shared their views on the book and its revelations.
Ex-Australia PM Malcolm Turnbull responds to Usman Khawaja's 2018 ball-tampering claims
Malcolm Turnbull was among the most vocal figures to condemn the ball-tampering incident in Cape Town in 2018. He described the episode as a disgrace and called for Cricket Australia to take firm action against those involved.
Usman Khawaja's account has suggested that the scandal was not limited to the three players who faced sanctions. He also questioned the response from people in positions of authority at the time. Turnbull, however, dismissed the idea that he had used the controversy to strengthen his political position amid pressure on his leadership.
“I’m surprised that Usman thinks the only reason this was a big deal was because the prime minister said he was disappointed,” Mr Turnbull told The Sydney Morning Herald.
The former prime minister also questioned why Usman Khawaja had not raised his concerns publicly when the incident first came to light.
“Why didn’t he speak up at the time?” Mr Turnbull told the Australian Financial Review.
It’s gonna put them under a huge amount of pressure - Michael Vaughan
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes the revelations could create fresh pressure on the players associated with the 2018 tour. While he expressed respect for Khawaja's willingness to support teammates he believes were treated harshly, Vaughan questioned the commercial timing of the disclosures.
“It’s gonna put them under a huge amount of pressure. Finding that there were more people who knew about the situation eight years ago, that doesn’t surprise me. [I have] admiration for coming out in support of three teammates who in my opinion, were harshly treated.
“To do it at the commercial gain through a book, that doesn’t sit pretty with me.
Former Australia batter Mark Waugh was less convinced that revisiting the episode would serve any purpose. He suggested that people should first examine the contents of Usman Khawaja's book before deciding whether further action was necessary.
“They’ll read the book and see exactly what’s in it and go from there,” he said.
“It’s a long time ago - is there any benefit of going back over that and rehashing certain events? I’d say not, but we’ll wait and see.”
Aakash Chopra reacts to Usman Khawaja's Sandpapergate claims
Former India opener Aakash Chopra also questioned Khawaja's decision to disclose the allegations through his autobiography. However, he acknowledged that the truth about the scandal should eventually come out.
“Usman Khawaja has to sell his book. So he said he would dig up the eight-year-old grievances. Some people would say that the truth should come out at some point. I feel it should come. I feel this job could have also been done in a video after retirement,” Aakash Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.
“Until retirement, you feel you are part of that team, you don't want to let your players down, and you have to go back to that dressing room. It still seems slightly wrong, but anyway. Even if that's your thought process, after retirement you say you have guilt in your heart and would come out with it; then you could make a video or post a tweet. He tweets a lot,” he added.
