Usman Khawaja has reportedly canceled his remaining television and radio interviews promoting his autobiography, Sabr, following controversial claims he made about the 2018 "Sandpapergate" ball-tampering scandal. Publisher Penguin notified media outlets of the cancellations on Wednesday morning, according to News Corp.
Khawaja's decision comes after an interview with Sarah Ferguson on ABC's 7.30 program. In the interview and in comments to the Sydney Morning Herald prior to his book's release, the former Australian opener asserted that the entire team, not just Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft, knew about the ball-tampering plot in Cape Town. He also alleged that sandpaper had been used during the previous Test in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).
"It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us," Khawaja stated regarding the incident. He told Ferguson that he wanted the team to take collective responsibility. "I was here to tell my truth, what I saw, what I felt, and to stick with those three guys who were made out to be the only people who have taken it [accountability]."
When asked if current Australian captain Pat Cummins knew about the sandpaper, Khawaja declined to answer, stating, "I'm not going to answer that." Cummins and fellow bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon publicly denied knowing about the ball-tampering in 2021.
Smith received a one-year ban and was stripped of the captaincy, Warner was banned for 12 months and lost his leadership roles, and Bancroft was banned for nine months following the Cape Town scandal. Khawaja, who retired this year after 88 Test matches, dedicates a chapter of his autobiography to the controversy.
His book reportedly recounts dressing-room discussions about altering the ball and alleges that Smith distanced himself upon learning sandpaper was effective, with Bancroft then volunteering to use it. Darren Lehmann, Australia's coach at the time, disputed the notion that the knowledge was widespread, telling ABC, "I don't think everybody would have known." He added that the claims brought back "bad memories" for those involved.
Cricket Australia stated that it remains "comfortable" with its original findings but is open to considering new evidence. "All relevant information presented to CA to date has been properly considered and we remain comfortable with the findings of our integrity process," the organization said.