Sports · Cricket · 3 hrs ago
Pattinson accuses Khawaja of using Sandpapergate claims to sell books
Former Australian fast bowler James Pattinson accused Usman Khawaja of using the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal to sell his autobiography.
Khawaja’s book says the knowledge of a plan to alter the ball with sandpaper went beyond the three players who were punished.
David Warner has backed Khawaja, but Mitchell Starc says his recollection has not changed from a 2021 statement denying prior knowledge among four bowlers.
Former captain Michael Clarke defended Khawaja against the claim that he made the allegations for money, and has called for the investigation to be reopened.
The scandal began during a Test against South Africa in Cape Town, where Cameron Bancroft was caught trying to alter the ball; he, Steve Smith and Warner received suspensions.
The competing accounts have renewed questions about who knew what, but Cricket Australia says it will not reopen its investigation.
Usman Khawaja’s account of Australia’s 2018 ball-tampering scandal has revived debate about who knew of the plan to use sandpaper.
James Pattinson questioned Khawaja’s timing and suggested he was using the revelations to sell his autobiography.
Michael Clarke defended Khawaja, saying he did not believe Khawaja made the claims for money.
David Warner backed Khawaja’s account, while Mitchell Starc said his recollection of the events had not changed.
Cricket Australia has said it will not reopen its investigation.
- Who
- Former Australian fast bowler James Pattinson questioned Khawaja’s claims; former captain Michael Clarke defended him.
- What
- Khawaja’s account of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal has prompted debate over who knew about the plan to use sandpaper.
- When
- The scandal took place during the 2018 tour of South Africa. The articles were published on November 10 and 11, 2026.
- Where
- The scandal took place during the Cape Town Test in South Africa.
- Why
- Khawaja says his account is intended to encourage collective responsibility. Pattinson questioned why he gave it when releasing his book, while Clarke rejected the suggestion that he did it for money.
James Pattinson
Michael Clarke
Motive for Khawaja’s account
James Pattinson
Pattinson suggested Khawaja was using the revelations to sell books and said he might have spoken up at the time.
Michael Clarke
Clarke said he did not think Khawaja made the claims for money, noting that the payment for his book had been set in advance.
Timing and impact
James Pattinson
Pattinson said he did not want the scandal brought up again and noted that many people had experienced difficult times because of it.
Michael Clarke
Clarke defended Khawaja’s decision to give his account; the article does not report Clarke’s view on whether the scandal should be revisited.
Australia’s ball-tampering scandal took place during the tour of South Africa, including the Cape Town Test.
Starc and Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon issued a joint statement denying prior knowledge of the plan.
Khawaja said the entire Australian team had been involved in the conspiracy, according to the Indian Express.
Warner publicly supported Khawaja’s account in a video.
Khawaja addressed criticism about possible royalties in a social media post.
The Indian Express and Daily Mail published reports on the dispute.
- Scandal
- 2018 Australia tour of South Africa
- Test
- Cape Town Test
- Players punished
- Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft
- Investigation
- Cricket Australia said it would not reopen its investigation
- Book
- Khawaja’s autobiography is titled Sabr
3 sources
Cricket star James Pattinson takes aim at Usman Khawaja over Sandpapergate claims as Michael Clarke jumps to his defence: 'Trying to sell books'
‘My recollection hasn’t changed’: Starc on Khawaja’s Sandpapergate comments
‘Fans have not moved on’: Clarke joins Sandpapergate storm as pressure mounts on CA
What people are saying
he's trying to sell a few books.
I don't think he has done this for money.
my opinion hasn’t changed, my recollection hasn’t changed from what we said in 2021
It’s 100% accurate what you’ve said.