Usman Khawaja’s new autobiography, Sabr, alleges the entire Australian cricket team knew about the 2018 ball-tampering plot in South Africa, as reported by smh.com.au.
- The explosive disclosures in Sabr reveal details about leadership dynamics within Australian cricket.
Released publicly on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the memoir revisits the infamous Sandpapergate scandal in chapter 17. Khawaja writes that the illegal tactics had also been deployed during the previous Test in Gqeberha.
“I personally never tampered with a ball – in terms of scratching it or anything – but I knew everything that was going on and I wasn’t against it, which makes me complicit,” Khawaja writes, as reported by smh.com.au.
Khawaja details how umpires would drop the ball on the boundary while walking ahead, leaving the field unmonitored by cameras. He describes David Warner declining to participate before junior player Cameron Bancroft volunteered to execute the tampering.
| Event / Milestone | Year | Key Personnel Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Homeworkgate Suspension | 2013 | Usman Khawaja, Gavin Dovey, Michael Clarke |
| South Africa ODI Series Drinks Culture | 2016 | Coaching Staff, George Bailey |
| Sandpapergate Scandal | 2018 | Cameron Bancroft, David Warner, Steve Smith |
| Lord’s Long Room Incident | 2023 | Usman Khawaja, Jonny Bairstow, MCC Members |
The book also addresses team culture on earlier tours, alleging that coaching staff had a severe issue with drinking during a 2016 ODI series in South Africa. Khawaja expresses frustration at being overlooked for the interim Test captaincy after Steve Smith's removal, pointing to systemic reluctance within Cricket Australia.
On the 2023 Ashes, smh.com.au reports that Khawaja details racial abuse he faced in the Lord’s long room following Jonny Bairstow’s controversial stumping. He recounts hearing a spectator yell, “Shut up, you Paki,” alongside members attempting to trip Australian players on the stairs.
Sabr is published by Penguin Random House.
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