Usman Khawaja has defended the timing of his bombshell ball-tampering revelations, insisting he has not thrown anyone under the bus by claiming the entire Australian team, not just Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft, was complicit in the 2018 Cape Town scandal.
In a five-minute, two-part Instagram explanation, Khawaja detailed his attempts to go public with the details. He revealed he planned to come forward days after the 2018 incident but was persuaded against it by the suspended Steve Smith. I told Smudge [Smith] that I was going to come clean to the media
, Khawaja said, But Smudge being the man and leader he was, he talked me out of it
. He also claimed he made another attempt in 2021 to ensure the team took collective responsibility, but this was thwarted when a public statement from the bowlers denied any knowledge.
Team Responsibility and Past Attempts
Khawaja, whose memoir Sabr is released this week, alleges an Australian player used sandpaper on the ball during the 2018 Test in South Africa. He maintains that the tactic expanded from practice sessions to on-field use in the next Test. These three guys took the blame for all of us. They’re the victims
, Khawaja stated, referring to Smith, Warner, and Bancroft. He also claimed a member of the coaching staff encouraged Bancroft to ramp up his actions with the ball.
Defending the Timing of Revelations
The 39-year-old explained he did not speak out while back in the Australian team from 2022, feeling a duty to put his team first. I was always conscious of putting my team first, but I’m not in that team anymore
, he said. Khawaja argued the book’s release, timed after Australia’s Test return to South Africa, was not a money-making venture. These three guys deserve justice and I haven’t pointed fingers at anyone
, he added.
Cricket Australia’s Stance
Khawaja has been critical of Cricket Australia’s handling of the Cape Town investigation, noting he was not interviewed. Cricket Australia has maintained they are “comfortable” with their findings. Usman Khawaja has said he has not thrown anyone under the bus with his ball-tampering claims, while David Warner has not commented publicly on the matter.
