Cape Town has hosted plenty of cricket drama, but few days match the Newlands Test of March 2018. The Sandpapergate scandal is back in the headlines after Usman Khawaja released an excerpt of his autobiography suggesting the whole Australian team knew about the ball-tampering. On Sunday he moved to calm the storm.
“We’re Not the Victims”
In an Instagram video, the 39-year-old, who retired from international cricket in January after 88 Tests, rejected the idea that he was blaming teammates. He said Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft took the blame for everyone and are the real victims. Those three were banned, and Bancroft was the player caught with sandpaper in his pocket.
Khawaja said he has spoken to all three and promised Warner he would tell his side. His goal, he said, is for the whole group to share responsibility so the team can finally move on.
Why Wait So Long?
The obvious question is why now. Khawaja denies it is a marketing push for his book. He says he first wanted to speak in 2018, but Smith talked him out of it, insisting on carrying the blame himself.
He says he nearly spoke again in 2021, when Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon publicly denied knowing about the plan. After long talks with then-coach Justin Langer, he stayed quiet. Once he returned to the side in 2022, he felt unable to speak while still playing. He admitted people can call him a chicken if they like.
A Wound South Africa Remembers
For South African fans, none of this is old news. Australia returned to the country last month for the first time since 2018 and lost the three-match series 2-1, with the scandal and the coming book hanging over the tour.
Whether Khawaja’s account brings closure or reopens arguments is unclear. What is certain is that in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, cricket followers have long memories, and this story is far from finished.
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