Mitchell Starc maintains innocence regarding 2018 ball-tampering scandal
The Australian fast bowler denied having knowledge of the incident despite Usman Khawaja's claims that the dressing room should have taken responsibility.
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has maintained that his recollection of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal remains unchanged, according to a report by the Times of India. Starc insisted he was unaware of any foreign object being used to alter the ball during the Cape Town Test.
The bowler's comments follow claims made by former teammate Usman Khawaja in his autobiography, Sabr. Khawaja alleged that knowledge of the operation extended beyond Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft, suggesting the entire dressing room and support staff should have accepted collective responsibility.
Speaking at an event for the start of Australia's summer of cricket, Starc said he had not closely followed the recent debate. He stated that his position is consistent with a 2021 joint statement issued by the bowling quartet, which included Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon.
Starc said the bowlers only saw the incident on the stadium big screen at Newlands. He also addressed Khawaja's claim regarding sandpaper use in a previous Test in Gqeberha, stating he had no prior knowledge of that alleged event.
Former opener David Warner publicly supported Khawaja, describing the revelations as "100% accurate." Warner questioned the thoroughness of the original Cricket Australia investigation, noting that Khawaja was not interviewed despite sitting next to Bancroft during the match.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said the governing body would not reopen the investigation. Greenberg stated the board remains comfortable with the original outcome based on the information received.