Web Desk(National Times)- David Warner backed former teammate Usman Khawaja’s claims that the entire Australian team was in on the 2018 “Sandpapergate” scandal as “100 per cent accurate” on Monday.
Warner, one of three players banned over the ball-tampering controversy in Cape Town along with Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, said he stood “with my brother” Khawaja.
“It’s been eight years since I spoke on this topic,” the former opener said on Instagram.
“Uzzie, I throw my full support behind you. I thank you for what you’ve done.
“It’s 100 per cent accurate what you’ve said. Now everyone knows the truth. It’s out there. People wanted to know it. You’ve come out and said it.”
Khawaja, Warner’s close friend and long-time opening partner, re-ignited the infamous incident on Saturday ahead of the release of his autobiography this week, where a chapter is dedicated to the issue.
“It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us,” Khawaja claimed about who was in on the plot to doctor the ball with sandpaper.
Cricket Australia’s original investigation found only Smith, Warner and Bancroft were in the know, with the governing body at the weekend saying it remained “comfortable” with its findings.
Bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon all denied publicly in 2021 that they knew about it, while Darren Lehmann, who was head coach at the time, denied on Saturday there was widespread knowledge.
“This isn’t about reopening old wounds,” said Warner, who retired from Test cricket in 2024.
“It’s about acknowledging that some wounds never properly healed. I stand with my brother Usman Khawaja.
“Speaking your truth takes courage, especially when people would rather you stay silent.
“Time passing doesn’t replace accountability, and asking questions shouldn’t be mistaken for holding grudges. Respect, honesty and accountability. That’s all anyone can ask for.”
Smith was banned for a year and sacked as captain over the furore during the third Test in Cape Town. Warner was suspended for 12 months and stripped of all leadership roles, while Bancroft was slapped with a nine-month ban.
“These three guys (Smith, Warner and Bancroft) took the blame for all of us,” said Khawaja, who retired this year. “They’re the victims … people telling them that they’re cheats, getting nailed by the crowd. Public humiliation.”
Warner said the past eight years had been “a tough time for my family, Steven and Cameron no doubt”.
“But this is what needed to come out.”
He was scathing of the Cricket Australia investigation process, calling it “rushed and botched”.
“Uzzie was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft. Uzzie was not interviewed. How is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me,” he said.
