Khawaja pulls back from book tour as ball-tampering row resurfaces

Usman Khawaja has withdrawn from a scheduled book promotion campaign following backlash over allegations contained in his recently released autobiography, 'Sabr'. The former batter's claims have revived long-standing questions about cricket's most significant integrity controversy, threatening to extend a dispute that had largely settled over the past six years.

In his book, Khawaja alleged that the entire Australian cricket team possessed knowledge of the plan to use sandpaper to alter the ball's condition during the 2018 Cape Town Test against South Africa. He contended that senior figures including then-captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and opener Cameron Bancroft were made scapegoats by cricket administrators, despite the alleged broader complicity within the squad.

These assertions have drawn sharp rebuttals from former teammates. Mitchell Starc, who played in the same side, rejected Khawaja's characterisation and reiterated his 2021 position that the bowling unit was not aware of any conspiracy to tamper with the ball. The conflicting accounts have intensified tensions within Australian cricket circles.

The Australian Cricketers' Association has urged all parties to exercise restraint and bring an end to the renewed controversy. The organisation's appeal underscores growing concerns that the dispute threatens to inflict fresh damage on Australian cricket's reputation and internal cohesion.