Khawaja claims Aussies used sandpaper on the ball before notorious Test
What it is about
Who published it, and when
9 reports left out of the cascade - too little in common with the story to place
How it spread - 44 original reports, 4 reprints
Fri, 6 November 2026
1 report- ABC News (Australia)18:38first to report
Usman Khawaja claims all staff and players knew that the Australian team was using sandpaper to tamper with the ball during the 2018 tour of South Africa.
Sat, 7 November 2026
8 reports- Channel News Asia01:34
- Times of India02:10
Usman Khawaja has shed light on the extent of discussions regarding ball tampering among Australian cricketers. He revealed that these conversations were not only prevalent but also conducted openly during their contentious 2018 tour in South Africa. This revelation casts doubt on the integrity of Cricket Australia's previous investigation, which insists it considered all pertinent information before drawing its conclusions.
- ABC News (Australia)03:49
Darren Lehmann rejects Usman Khawaja's claims the entire Australian camp knew about the 2018 sandpaper plot, but says "everyone" was ball tampering up until that day.
- Times of India05:14
With the publication of Usman Khawaja's autobiography, the spotlight has returned to the 2018 ball-tampering scandal that shook Australian cricket. Khawaja reveals that discussions about tampering were commonplace among players during their time in South Africa. In response, Michael Vaughan sarcastically remarked that these suspicions were already widely acknowledged in the cricketing world. Cricket Australia, however, reaffirms its findings regarding player knowledge, keeping the scandal alive...
- prokerala.com05:25
Former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has dropped bombshell claims that the whole Australian team was aware of the infamous sandpaper gate inciden....
- prokerala.com05:40'We paid a heavy price for that': Darren Lehmann disputes Khawaja's claims on 2018 sandpaper scandal
Former Australia head coach Darren Lehmann has challenged Usman Khawaja's assertion that the entire Australian dressing room was aware of the 201....
- Al Jazeera English05:46
The 'Sandpapergate' scandal saw Australia scuffing the ball with sandpaper in the March 2018 test in Cape Town.
- ABC News (Australia)20:10
Usman Khawaja's bombshell claims about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal have sent shock waves through Australian cricket, casting doubt on exactly who knew what.
Sun, 8 November 2026
4 reports- ABC News (Australia)01:00
Usman Khawaja has revealed Steve Smith talked him out of going public with claims of widespread knowledge around ball-tampering during the 2018 saga.
- Channel News Asia05:01
- Times of India05:13
In his autobiography, Usman Khawaja reveals that the entire Australian cricket team was aware of the ball-tampering incident during their 2018 tour of South Africa. He addressed claims that he kept this information hidden for personal benefit, emphasizing his desire for collective accountability. Khawaja voiced disappointment in teammates unwilling to accept shared responsibility. His comments have reignited crucial discussions surrounding the scandal that rocked Australian cricket's reputation.
- Al Jazeera English08:57
Australian cricketer defends waiting so long to place blame, denying it was a marketing ploy to sell his book.
Mon, 9 November 2026
5 reports- ABC News (Australia)07:38
David Warner throws his full support behind his childhood friend, Usman Khawaja, while slamming Cricket Australia's investigation into ball tampering.
- Times of India08:15
David Warner has shown unwavering support for Usman Khawaja in light of fresh discussions surrounding the notorious 2018 Sandpaper Gate scandal. Khawaja's forthcoming autobiography suggests that more team members were involved in the ball-tampering scandal than initially admitted. Warner has voiced concerns over the integrity of the investigation, particularly since Khawaja was not interviewed, despite his presence during the incident.
- Channel News Asia09:22
- ABC News (Australia)19:08
Usman Khawaja and David Warner's Sandpapergate revelations may have set the scene for civil war in Australian cricket as the 2018 ball-tampering scandal continues to captivate and damage.
- ABC News (Australia)23:36
Cricket Australia will not reopen an investigation into the infamous 2018 Sandpapergate controversy, according to chief executive Todd Greenberg, in the wake of Usman Khawaja's claims that the entire Australian Test team knew it was happening.
Tue, 10 November 2026
8 reports- ABC News (Australia)05:58
Mitchell Starc becomes the first current player to respond to Usman Khawaja's fresh Sandpapergate claims, denying that he and the other bowlers knew about the plot.
- Al Jazeera English06:13
'We’re comfortable with the outcome of the investigation,' Cricket Australia chief says after Khawaja's revelations.
- Times of India06:31
Mitchell Starc has once again addressed the controversy surrounding the 2018 ball-tampering incident, reaffirming his stance since 2021. Meanwhile, David Warner has backed Usman Khawaja's assertions, labeling them as the truth. He expressed his disappointment over the lack of in-depth scrutiny during Cricket Australia's initial probe. Starc denied any involvement or knowledge of the tampering, insisting that the bowlers were kept in the dark about the matter.
- Times of India09:13
Adding to the public discourse, Michael Clarke has urged Cricket Australia to reconsider the Sandpapergate scandal investigation. Usman Khawaja's autobiography alleges that every member of the Australian Test team knew about the ball-tampering. David Warner supports this assertion, in contrast to Mitch Starc, who upholds the bowlers' past position. Nonetheless, CA dismisses the need for a new inquiry, reaffirming its satisfaction with the initial results, even after eight years.
- ABC News (Australia)09:59
Usman Khawaja rejects claims he has reopened some of Australian crickets biggest wounds just to sell copies of his new book as he admits concerns it may have damaged friendships.
- Times of India10:30
In his autobiography, Usman Khawaja reveals that the use of sandpaper was widely known during the controversial 2018 cricket series. Mitchell Starc defends his earlier statements, refuting Khawaja's claims, while Alyssa Healy shares her mixed emotions over the renewed attention on the scandal. Cricket Australia appears disinclined to revisit past events, focusing instead on future endeavors.
- Times of India14:33
Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja has alleged racial abuse by an MCC member during the 2023 Ashes Test at Lord's in his autobiography. He recalled hostile behaviour from spectators following Jonny Bairstow's controversial dismissal, which led to three MCC members being punished. Khawaja also claimed Australia's entire team knew about the 2018 sandpaper ball-tampering scandal.
- ABC News (Australia)21:21
As Mitchell Starc and Usman Khawaja's recollections of the 2018 incident differ, Adam Gilchrist says Australia must move on.
Wed, 11 November 2026
6 reports- ABC News (Australia)01:10
David Warner agrees with a Chris Broad comment suggesting former Australian coach Darren Lehmann got away lightly in the wake of the Sandpapergate scandal.
- Times of India02:15
Usman Khawaja has canceled his remaining media interviews to promote his autobiography, Sabr. His decision follows a challenging interview with Sarah Ferguson where he faced questions about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Khawaja expressed concerns that future discussions would mainly revolve around this controversy rather than other aspects of his book. He emphasized the need for the entire team to accept accountability for the incident.
- Times of India08:42
Chris Broad has harshly criticised Darren Lehmann for seemingly being oblivious to the ball-tampering scandal of 2018. Usman Khawaja, a former Australian player, has disclosed in his autobiography that the entire team was aware of the misconduct during their tour of South Africa. Broad insists that Lehmann must be held accountable for his ignorance in this matter, sparking renewed discussion about the scandal.
- Times of India16:04
England captain Joe Root has refused to comment on fresh Sandpapergate allegations raised by Usman Khawaja in his autobiography. Khawaja claims Australia's wider team was involved in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Root said he did not know what happened inside the Australian dressing room, while Peter Handscomb also declined to discuss the revelations.
- Times of India16:19
Usman Khawaja's latest memoir has reignited conversation around the 2018 ball-tampering scandal that shook Australian cricket. Graeme Hick refutes Khawaja's assertion claiming all players were complicit while David Warner backs Khawaja, questioning the investigation's integrity. The aftermath of the scandal led to hefty suspensions and stirred debate over the team's culture. Despite the uproar, Cricket Australia has stood firm, asserting their original findings remain unchanged.
- ABC News (Australia)21:19
Graeme Hick, Australia's batting coach at the time of the 2018 tour of South Africa, weighs in on the recent revelations about Sandpaper-gate, labelling Usman Khawaja's claims "absolutely false".
Thu, 12 November 2026
8 reports- Times of India00:30
Australian captain Pat Cummins was spotted having an animated conversation with wife Becky in Sydney, marking his first public appearance since Usman Khawaja reignited the 2018 Sandpaper-gate controversy. Khawaja claimed the entire dressing room knew about the ball-tampering plan, with David Warner backing him. Meanwhile, Khawaja has refused to reveal further details about the bowlers' involvement.
- Times of India01:38
Stuart MacGill has acknowledged using sandpaper on the ball during his cricket career, indicating it was not a deliberate cheating strategy. His admission follows recent statements made by Usman Khawaja in his memoir, which has reopened discussions on Sandpapergate. Cricket Australia maintains that the wider team was unaware of any wrongdoing during the 2018 Cape Town Test.
- ABC News (Australia)03:09
After a week of conversation about ball tampering from the 2018 tour of South Africa, Australia Test captain Pat Cummins is set to respond publicly.
- Channel News Asia04:36
- tribune.com.pk10:00
The former coach says he neither witnessed nor heard discussions about the controversial tactic
- Times of India12:59
Recent revelations have resurfaced surrounding the infamous 2018 Australian ball-tampering scandal, implicating David Saker, the former bowling coach. Allegedly, Saker counseled players Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft to hide the use of sandpaper. Usman Khawaja's memoir reveals that the conspiracy involved the broader team, as Saker reportedly pushed for innovative approaches to achieve reverse swing, with insightful exchanges providing a glimpse into the team's mentality at the time.
- ABC News (Australia)21:26
Australia Test captain Pat Cummins is speaking to the media at Cricket NSW's headquarters about Usman Khawaja's recent revelations about Australia's ball tampering in 2018. Follow live.
- The Guardian World23:05
Cummins speaks about allegations in Usman Khawaja’s book about the 2018 ball-tampering incident Cummins says there’s a ‘proper way to do things’ Cummins says he believes there was a proper way to handle the sandpaper incident, pointing to the Cricket Australia investigation shortly afterwards. There’s a very proper way to do things and improve. I think that investigation was a proper way to do it. Everyone was asked in the circumstances about a game very quickly after. So that’s for CA. I think...
Fri, 13 November 2026
4 reports- ABC News (Australia)00:39
Australian Test cricket captain Pat Cummins rubbishes Usman Khawaja's ball-tampering claims in a long and passionate press conference.
- Times of India00:56
Australia captain Pat Cummins has strongly denied claims made by Usman Khawaja regarding the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Cummins asserted that he did not know about the plan and has consistently maintained that stance over the years. Khawaja's autobiography brought renewed attention to the incident, prompting severe reactions from Cummins. Despite the allegations, Cummins has decided against taking legal action and hopes to move on from this controversy.
- Times of India02:37
Australia captain Pat Cummins responded to Usman Khawaja's claims about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal during a press conference. Cummins stated that Khawaja's allegations were serious and irresponsible, affecting players and their families. He chose not to pursue legal action despite being advised that some claims might be defamatory. Cricket Australia has decided not to reopen the investigation into the scandal according to Cummins.
- camdencourier.com.au05:51
Pat Cummins says he has received legal advice that Usman Khawaja's ball-tampering claims are "probably defamatory", but he...
4 reprints
- bendigoadvertiser.com.au13 Nov, 01:30their copy
- lithgowmercury.com.au13 Nov, 05:51their copy
- goulburnpost.com.au13 Nov, 05:51their copy
- queanbeyanage.com.au13 Nov, 05:51their copy