Another chapter of the Sandpaper affair, nearly a decade old, has reopened in the quiet corners of Australian cricket. A veteran batter, reflecting on his own career, has put into print a claim that the entire 2018 touring side knew of the plan to alter the ball in South Africa, and in doing so has tested how far a public reckoning can travel before it turns into something else. His publisher insists the book tour continues, with only some appearances rearranged after a pointed television interview, while the governing body has chosen not to revisit its earlier findings. What remains is a ques
Penguin Confirms 'Adjustments' to Usman Khawaja's Book Tour After Tense 7.30 Interview
The tour is 'still going ahead' — with adjustments Penguin won't spell out
Mark
Why did the tour news become a story at all?
Mimi
Because reports said the tour had been cancelled after the 7.30 interview. Penguin says that's wrong: it's going ahead, with adjustments this week.
Luke
But Penguin won't say which interviews were pulled. So "adjustments" is a company's word, and we can't check what it covers.
Mark
What is the central claim in the book?
Mimi
That the entire 2018 Australian team knew about the plan to tamper with the ball against South Africa.
Luke
Careful: that's Khawaja's claim. Warner calls it "100 per cent accurate", which is support, not independent confirmation, and Warner was one of those suspended.
Mark
Who has responded?
Mimi
Starc denied the bowlers were in on it. Bancroft wouldn't go into detail at Melbourne Airport. Smith hasn't spoken publicly.
Luke
So the accounts conflict on who knew what, and nothing in the reporting settles it.
Mark
And Cricket Australia?
Mimi
It's refusing to reopen its investigation despite the book's claims.
Luke
Worth noting Khawaja himself said he doesn't want a witch-hunt. What he does want from here is not stated in what we have.
El Pulso
- A television interview left Usman Khawaja visibly uncomfortable as he tried to sidestep questions about his claim that the whole 2018 team knew of the ball-tampering plan.
- Publisher Penguin rushed to deny reports that the Sabr book tour had collapsed, insisting it remains 100 per cent on despite unnamed interviews being pulled.
- David Warner has thrown his weight behind Khawaja, calling his account '100 per cent accurate', while Cameron Bancroft says nothing of substance at Melbourne Airport.
- Cricket Australia has refused to reopen its investigation, leaving the claims hanging without an official inquiry.
- Steve Smith remains silent, and his response is now the single development that could shift the entire standoff.
Another chapter of the Sandpaper affair, nearly a decade old, has reopened in the quiet corners of Australian cricket. A veteran batter, reflecting on his own career, has put into print a claim that the entire 2018 touring side knew of the plan to alter the ball in South Africa, and in doing so has tested how far a public reckoning can travel before it turns into something else. His publisher insists the book tour continues, with only some appearances rearranged after a pointed television interview, while the governing body has chosen not to revisit its earlier findings. What remains is a question of memory, loyalty and accountability, and it is still waiting for the one voice that has not yet spoken.
Usman Khawaja's publisher, Penguin, has confirmed that its promotional tour for his new book, Sabr, has been adjusted after a tense appearance on the ABC's 7.30 on Tuesday night. Penguin rejected reports of a full cancellation, saying the tour is still on and further interviews are planned, though it would not say which engagements were dropped.
The book contains a full chapter on the 2018 tour of South Africa, the tour that ended with Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft suspended over ball-tampering. On television, host Sarah Ferguson pressed Khawaja on that chapter, and he appeared uneasy as he dodged her questions, saying he did not want his claim that the whole team knew of the plan to spark a witch-hunt.
The responses around him have varied. Warner called Khawaja's account '100 per cent accurate', Bancroft kept his remarks brief at Melbourne Airport, and Mitchell Starc denied that the bowlers were involved. Smith has yet to say anything publicly, and Cricket Australia will not reopen its investigation. The matter is unresolved, and Smith's eventual reply is the next thing to watch.
Usman Khawaja's publisher, Penguin, has confirmed that "adjustments" have been made to the promotional tour for his new book, Sabr, after a tense television interview on Tuesday night. The confirmation came in a written statement to ABC Sport, and it was aimed at reports that the tour had been cancelled altogether.
Penguin said the tour is still going ahead. In its words, it is "100 per cent" on, with some adjustments this week but no major cancellation. The publisher would not say which specific interviews had been cancelled. It did confirm that Khawaja will be doing further interviews about the book.
The book was released on Tuesday. It includes a full chapter titled "Sandpaper", devoted to Australia's 2018 tour of South Africa. That tour ended with Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft suspended over ball-tampering.
The 37-year-old Khawaja appeared on the ABC's 7.30 on Tuesday night, where host Sarah Ferguson asked him about the chapter. He looked uncomfortable and dodged her questions. In that interview he said he did not want a "witch-hunt" to follow from his claim that the entire Australian team knew about the plan to tamper with the ball against South Africa.
Others named in the saga have responded in different ways. Warner backed Khawaja's account in a statement on Monday night, describing it as "100 per cent accurate". Bancroft declined to speak in depth about the claims when reporters approached him at Melbourne Airport. He was arriving ahead of a Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Victoria at the MCG this week. Smith has not yet spoken publicly about the book.
Paceman Mitchell Starc addressed the claims on Tuesday afternoon. He denied suggestions that the bowlers were in on the sandpaper plan.
Cricket Australia, for its part, is refusing to reopen its investigation into the 2018 incident, despite the claims in Khawaja's book.
The dispute remains unresolved. Cricket Australia is holding its position, and Smith's silence is the most notable gap. His response, if he gives one, is the thing to watch next.
Citas Notables
The book tour is 100 per cent still going ahead, we've just had to make some adjustments this week but no major cancellation of the tour at all.— Penguin, statement to ABC Sport
Khawaja said he did not want a "witch-hunt" to result from his claim that the whole team knew of the plan.— Usman Khawaja, on ABC's 7.30
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