Usman Khawaja reveals entire Australian team was involved in 2018 Sandpaper Gate scandal

The former Australian batter, Usman Khawaja, has dropped a bombshell by revealing that the entire side was involved in the Sandpaper Gate scandal in 2018 at Newlands in Cape Town during Australia’s trip to South Africa. He also claimed that they used it on the ball even in the Gqeberha Test match.

The incident remains a dark phase of Australian cricket, which saw the then captain, Steve Smith, and the vice-captain, David Warner, being penalized for nine months, along with the opening batter, Cameron Bancroft, who was suspended for a year. Their head coach, Darren Lehmann, also stepped down from his role.

What did Usman Khawaja say about Sandpaper Gate? Full comments on the 2018 Scandal

During an interaction with Nine Papers on November 7, three days before Khawaja’s book ‘Sabr’ releases, he stated that the entire team knew about the use of the sandpaper on the ball during the Cape Town Test against South Africa. 

“It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us. In an ideal world, I don't want to do this. I don't want to be the one who comes out and talks about the truth. The issue is that I genuinely thought after eight years the truth would have been out by now.” The left-handed opening batter expressed.

“Maybe I thought Davey would have exposed it, or someone else would have talked about it more. I just didn't think it was going to come down to this. But the longer it's gone on for, and right from the very start, I've been on the train of collectively taking it.” He revealed.

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The former star reckoned that he didn’t want to be the one revealing the truth but felt an obligation to do so. He highlighted that he was nearly interviewed by CA on this aspect.

“Even in the changing rooms, when I was talking to them after the game. I said, 'Take this as a team'. We did this as a team. We knew what was going on, and we had to take it as a team, and so I was always of that stance. Obviously, it didn't work that way, and those three guys got crucified.” Khawaja reflected.

What happened in Sandpaper Gate? A look back at the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering scandal

The Sandpaper Gate is considered to be the darkest chapter in recent cricketing history of Australia. On March 24, 2018, during the third day of the Cape Town Test, the television cameras caught Bancroft pulling a small piece of yellow tape out of his pocket and rubbing it against the ball.

The aim for them was to scuff one side of the ball with the rough material to bring reverse swing in action, creating incredible issues for the batters of the Proteas. He realized his actions had been broadcast live onto the ground’s big screens.

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Later, the star player, along with Smith and Warner, broke down in tears after accepting their mistakes. Smith was even frogmarched out of the country after the CA called them back home.