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Starc Dismisses Khawaja's Ball-Tampering Scandal Allegations

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has downplayed former teammate Usman Khawaja's recent comments about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, indicating he has not engaged substantially with the ongoing discussion.

LSN India · 10 November 2026

Starc, one of Australia's premier pace bowlers, addressed the resurfaced controversy following Khawaja's recent public comments about the 2018 scandal that rocked Australian cricket. The incident, which resulted in bans for Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft, has periodically returned to public discourse.

When queried about Khawaja's revelations, Starc indicated he has maintained distance from ongoing debates surrounding the controversy. The pace veteran suggested that he prefers to focus on cricket rather than revisit historical incidents that have already concluded with formal investigations and penalties.

Khawaja, who was not directly involved in the incident, had previously made public statements regarding aspects of the controversy. His recent comments have reignited discussion within Australian cricket circles about the scandal's broader implications and the players' responses to it.

The 2018 ball-tampering affair marked one of Australian cricket's darkest chapters, leading to significant suspensions and a comprehensive review of team culture. While some players and commentators have since reflected on the incident, Starc's response underscores varying perspectives among cricketers on how extensively the matter should be revisited.