Mitchell Starc rejects claims of knowledge in Sandpapergate controversy
Former Australian women's captain Alyssa Healy says she feels slightly conflicted as Usman Khawaja makes new allegations regarding the 2018 scandal.
Mitchell Starc has rejected claims made by former batter Usman Khawaja regarding the 2018 Sandpapergate ball-tampering scandal. According to the Times of India, Khawaja alleged in his autobiography, Sabr, that the entire Australian Test team was aware of the use of sandpaper during the Cape Town Test against South Africa.
Khawaja also claimed that ball-tampering occurred during the second Test of that series, not just the third Test. Starc has maintained his position from a 2021 joint statement issued with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, denying knowledge of the sandpaper being taken onto the field.
Alyssa Healy, the wife of Starc and former Australia women's captain, said she feels "slightly conflicted" about the renewed allegations. Speaking at a launch event for Kayo Sports and Fox Cricket, Healy said she would wait to see if Cricket Australia (CA) takes the matter forward before commenting further.
Healy expressed empathy for those involved, noting the human element of people being dragged back through difficult memories. She suggested the game of cricket has moved on since the incident occurred eight years ago.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has indicated the governing body has little interest in reopening the matter. Healy backed this approach, stating that Greenberg's position is a sign of moving forward towards the upcoming summer.