Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has rejected claims that the entire Australian team knew about the ball-tampering plan during the controversial 2018 tour of South Africa.
Starc became the first Australian bowler to publicly respond to allegations made by former teammate Usman Khawaja in his autobiography and on social media. Khawaja claimed that the team was aware of a plan to manipulate the ball to generate reverse swing.
Speaking to reporters in Sydney on Tuesday, Starc maintained that his position had not changed since the statement issued by Australia’s bowlers in 2021.
He said the bowlers had no knowledge that a foreign substance had been brought onto the field to alter the condition of the ball.
Starc also said he had not paid much attention to the latest debate, adding that different players appeared to have different recollections of events from eight years ago.
Khawaja had claimed that ball-tampering activities began during the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha, rather than the third Test in Cape Town, where the players were caught.
Starc said Khawaja’s account was the first time he had heard about ball-tampering allegedly taking place in Gqeberha.
Cricket Australia Rejects Calls for Fresh Investigation
The 2018 scandal, widely known as Sandpapergate, triggered a major investigation by Cricket Australia and resulted in suspensions and other penalties for former captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
Despite renewed calls from former players and commentators, including Michael Clarke, for another investigation, Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has ruled out reopening the case.
Speaking to Australian radio station SEN, Greenberg said there was no compelling reason to launch another investigation and that he could not see any benefit in revisiting the matter.
He acknowledged that players had very different views about Khawaja’s version of events.
Greenberg said some details in Khawaja’s autobiography contradicted accounts previously provided by other players. However, Cricket Australia remained satisfied with the outcome of its original investigation.
David Warner Backs Khawaja’s Version
Former Australian opener David Warner broke his silence on the controversy on Monday, publicly supporting Khawaja.
In a social media video, Warner described Khawaja’s account as completely accurate and criticised Cricket Australia’s original investigation, calling it rushed and poorly handled.
Meanwhile, former captain Pat Cummins said he had spoken to Khawaja before the autobiography was released and was not concerned about any possible fallout.
Some commentators have questioned why Khawaja waited eight years to reveal the details, suggesting the controversy could help promote his autobiography, Sabr.
Khawaja rejected the criticism in a social media post on Tuesday, insisting that financial gain was not his motivation.
He said he was fortunate enough not to need the money, dismissing suggestions that his statements were driven by commercial interests.
The renewed disagreement has once again raised questions about what really happened during Australia’s infamous 2018 South Africa tour.
