Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
England begin Perth white-ball tour as sandpaper scandal dominates
England are in Perth for a white-ball tour against Australia, beginning with three one-day internationals on Friday and followed by five T20s.
Usman Khawaja’s new autobiography has revived debate about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, which involved Australian players using sandpaper on the ball.
Khawaja’s account has added details to the story, but Cricket Australia says it will not reopen its investigation.
Joe Root is set to play his 200th ODI this week, while England prepare a largely inexperienced side.
The team is aiming to improve its 50-over cricket ahead of next year’s World Cup and recover from a poor tri-series in Pakistan.
The scandal continues to overshadow the series, while England’s immediate focus is on the matches ahead.
England begin a white-ball tour in Perth with three ODIs followed by five T20s.
The series has been overshadowed by renewed debate over Australia’s 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Usman Khawaja’s autobiography reignited the discussion with a claim that the entire Australia squad knew of the plan to use sandpaper.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh declined to share his account, saying his focus was on preparing for the series.
Cricket Australia has ruled out reopening the investigation, according to the Guardian.
- Who
- England and Australia.
- What
- They begin a white-ball series comprising three ODIs and five T20s, amid renewed debate over the 2018 sandpaper scandal.
- When
- The series was due to start Friday; the articles were published on November 11 and 12, 2026.
- Where
- Perth, Australia.
- Why
- Not stated
Usman Khawaja
Australia’s bowling group
Knowledge of the sandpaper plan
Usman Khawaja
Khawaja claimed in his autobiography that the entire Australia squad knew of the plan to use sandpaper.
Australia’s bowling group
The bowling group has rejected claims that everyone knew of the plot.
Australia’s ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town led to lengthy bans for three players.
Steve Smith and David Warner returned to Australia’s lineup.
The Guardian reported that Khawaja’s autobiography had reignited discussion of the scandal.
Marsh faced media in Perth and said his focus was on preparing for the series.
Australia and England were due to begin three ODIs in Perth.
- ODIs
- Three
- T20s
- Five
- Scandal location
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Steve Smith and David Warner bans
- 12 months each
- Cameron Bancroft ban
- Nine months
- Australia captain
- Mitchell Marsh
3 sources
What people are saying
I’m not here to share mine today, I know that might sound weird, but it’s a big week for us and it’s an important time for this one-day (squad) and my sole focus has been on preparing for tomorrow.
Happy to speak with any and all media about the events of this week
I don’t want to speculate
That’s not how I feel.