Sportsupdated 22m ago2 min read
Usman Khawaja Refuses To Name Players Over 2018 South Africa Ball Tampering
“The book tour is 100% still going”
“Khawaja has informed his publisher, Penguin, that he will no longer participate in television or radio appearances”
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Khawaja refuses to name individual players linked to the 2018 ball tampering. He says the burden should be shared by the whole Australian team rather than individuals.
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Khawaja refuses names
Usman Khawaja refused to name which national team players knew of ball tampering in the 2018 Test series with South Africa, while he said he wanted his former team-mates to take collective responsibility as a team. Khawaja told ABC that he was simply "sharing my version of the truth" and that he did not want a "witch hunt" over specific players. Khawaja’s publisher Penguin said the book tour was "100% still going" but that there had been "adjustments" to the schedule.
Cricket Australia’s investigation found the national side’s bowling attack were unaware of the ball-tampering, and the quartet of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc remained fixtures in the national side. Khawaja said he was "not going to answer" when pressed as to whether Pat Cummins knew of the ball-tampering.
Warner backs, CA resists
David Warner backed Khawaja’s account by saying it was "100% accurate" and that "lies will eventually get out," while Khawaja said he was "not going to speak on behalf of Davey." Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg ruled out reopening the investigation, saying he did not see "any compelling reason" for a new probe. Mitchell Starc denied any prior knowledge of Australia’s plot to tamper with the ball and said his "recollection hasn’t changed from what we said in 2021."
Greenberg told local radio station SEN that players had "very different views" to Khawaja’s version of events, and he said Cricket Australia was comfortable with the outcome based on information received. Khawaja also said he was never interviewed despite being present alongside Cameron Bancroft during the episode, and he described the process as "felt rushed".
Stakes for cricket
Cricket Australia’s Todd Greenberg said there was "no compelling reason" to open the investigation again, while he pointed to "specific details in his book" that contradicted versions provided by others. Mitchell Starc said he stood by the 2021 position that they did not know a "foreign substance" had been taken onto the field to alter the condition of the ball. Khawaja’s autobiography Sabr and the renewed debate threatened to overshadow the start of Australia’s home Test summer, with Starc becoming the first member of Australia’s current Test team to face the media since Khawaja’s book tour began.
Khawaja said he wanted the entire team to accept responsibility rather than leave three players to face the consequences, and he said "All I've ever wanted is for us to take accountability as a team." Khawaja’s refusal to answer whether Pat Cummins had prior knowledge left the question unresolved in the ABC 7:30 interview, and Starc said he had "not really paid much attention" to the coverage.