David Warner backs Usman Khawaja's Sandpapergate claims as 100 per cent accurate
Former Australian opener David Warner has supported Usman Khawaja's allegations that the entire team was involved in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Former Australian opener David Warner has backed claims made by Usman Khawaja that the entire Australian team was involved in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. According to reports by Hindustan Times, Khawaja alleged in his book, 'Sabr', that the whole team was involved in the episode during the Cape Town Test.
Warner described Khawaja's revelations as '100 per cent accurate' in a video posted on Instagram. The former opener also questioned the investigation conducted by Cricket Australia, describing the process as 'rushed and botched'.
Warner noted that Khawaja was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft in the dressing room but was not interviewed during the investigation. He stated that the goal is not to point fingers but to ensure accountability and transparency so the truth is properly examined.
The 2018 scandal resulted in 12-month bans for Warner and then-captain Steve Smith, while Bancroft was prohibited from playing for 10 months. Khawaja, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, alleged that Australia also used sandpaper on the ball in the preceding Test in Gqeberha.
Warner said he took time to respond because he wanted to explain the incident to his daughters. He added that while many people stayed silent over the last eight years, Khawaja has now come out and said what people wanted to know.
Khawaja's autobiography is scheduled for publication on Tuesday.