Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy has reacted to Usman Khawaja's revelations on the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal in his memoir, Sabr. Healy said Mitchell Starc had previously told him that the Australian bowlers knew nothing about the ball-tampering plan.
Australia had returned to Cape Town for the first time since the 2018 scandal when Khawaja released his memoir. The incident had led to major sanctions and a leadership ban, but the latest revelations have brought the episode back into focus across Australian cricket once again.
'Maybe We've Got To Dig Deeper Again' - Ian Healy Questions Mitchell Starc's Account
The revelations have prompted fresh questions about the bowlers' earlier account. Ian Healy revealed that his nephew-in-law, Mitchell Starc, had told him that the bowlers were unaware of the plan.
"I have had it said to me by my nephew-in-law, Mitch Starc, that, 'We didn't know'. I've always thought no-one knew. Does this now need proving? Maybe we've got to dig deeper again," Healy said.
Who's telling the truth when it comes to Sandpapergate? READ: https://t.co/TKo9ZtaAFS #Cricket https://t.co/1aTEQr1b1m
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) November 8, 2026
Usman Khawaja Claims Entire Australian Team Knew About Sandpapergate
In Sabr, Usman Khawaja alleged that the entire Australian touring party knew about the plan to tamper with the ball during the 2018 Cape Town Test. He also claimed that the team used sandpaper during the second Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth.
The controversy involved Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner. Bancroft was caught on camera applying sandpaper to the ball. Smith and Warner were subsequently handed 12-month suspensions, while Bancroft received a nine-month ban.
The claims also contradicted the Australian bowlers' 2021 public statement, in which they denied prior knowledge of the ball-tampering plan.
David Warner Backs Usman Khawaja's Claims And Questions Original Investigation
Former Australia opener David Warner has publicly supported Usman Khawaja, describing his former opening partner's claims as accurate. Warner, who served as vice-captain during the 2018 scandal, questioned why his former teammate was facing criticism for discussing the episode eight years later.
“It’s been eight years since I spoke on this topic. And Uzzie, I throw my full support behind you. I thank you for what you’ve done. What you’ve said is 100 percent accurate. Everyone knows the truth. It’s out there. People wanted to know it. You’ve come out and said it. And now people are asking, ‘why eight years on?’ Because you’re selling a book?” Warner said.
“This is Usman’s story. This is what Usman believes. Uzzie wrote down every single thing from that day on. Now, this whole interview process was rushed and botched. Uzzie was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft. Uzzie was not interviewed. How is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me.”
Cricket Australia imposed a leadership ban on Warner following the scandal. The governing body lifted it in October 2024, six and a half years after the incident. The latest revelations have once again brought the episode back into focus for former players and the current Australian leadership.
Also read: Usman Khawaja names Victoria the best at ball tampering in Australian domestic cricket
