Sport · Singapore Bureau
Khawaja claims ball-tampering talks were wider than Cricket Australia found
In a new autobiography, Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has contested the findings of Cricket Australia's 2018 investigation into ball-tampering during the tour of South Africa, suggesting discussions about the issue were more prevalent within the squad than officially determined.
LSN Singapore ·
Khawaja's claims emerge in excerpts from his upcoming autobiography released on Saturday, casting fresh light on one of Australian cricket's most damaging scandals. The former batsman suggests that conversations regarding ball-tampering extended more broadly through the team than Cricket Australia's formal inquiry concluded.
The 2018 South Africa tour saw the sport's reputation damaged when footage showed Australian players appearing to alter the ball's condition during a test match in Cape Town. The scandal led to the suspension of several high-profile players and prompted Cricket Australia to launch an investigation into team culture and conduct.
Khawaja's assertion that the probe may not have captured the full scope of discussions within the squad raises questions about the thoroughness of the inquiry and the extent to which knowledge of the issue was distributed among team members. The development comes several years after the initial scandal, adding a new dimension to the incident's ongoing legacy.
Cricket Australia has not yet responded to Khawaja's comments regarding the investigation's findings. The incident remains a defining moment in recent Australian cricket history, prompting widespread reforms to team governance and player conduct protocols.