Khawaja denies commercial motive as ball-tampering book dispute continues
November 13, 9:15pm Sydney update
Former Australian opener David Warner has criticised captain Pat Cummins after Cummins rejected claims in Usman Khawaja's upcoming memoir, Sabr, that the whole Australian team knew about the 2018 ball-tampering plan in Cape Town.
Speaking during television coverage ahead of Australia's first ODI against England, Warner said Khawaja "is telling the truth" and accused Cummins of throwing him under the bus. Warner repeated his view that the original investigation was "botched" and rushed, and that he, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft had little choice but to take the blame.
The row has reopened a scandal that cost the three players suspensions eight years ago. Cummins denies prior knowledge; Warner's criticism is his account, not a new investigative finding.
Earlier reporting retained for context
Usman Khawaja has denied that his account of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal was included in his memoir to boost sales. His response adds to a dispute over what Australian players knew, while Cricket Australia continues to rule out reopening its investigation.
Khawaja said he signed with publisher Penguin in 2023, retained control of the contents and did not negotiate a requirement to include the sandpaper episode. He said the publisher and his management first saw the completed manuscript more than two years later and were surprised by it.
He also rejected suggestions that the claims were driven by potential royalties, saying he did not need the money and that sales would have to reach a substantial level before extra payments began. Those statements describe his account of the publishing arrangements and motives.
His book claims wider team knowledge of ball tampering and use of sandpaper before the Cape Town Test in which Cameron Bancroft was filmed. Several players deny prior knowledge. The original inquiry identified Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner as aware of the plan.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said another inquiry would not be opened. The organisation's position and the players' competing accounts remain distinct: declining a new investigation does not reconcile those accounts or turn the book's allegations into established findings.
