Khawaja challenges 2018 ball-tampering inquiry finding

Usman Khawaja has challenged Cricket Australia’s 2018 finding that only Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft knew of the ball-tampering plan, saying the knowledge extended across the Australian team. Former coach Darren Lehmann said he did not think everyone knew about the use of sandpaper, leaving the extent of knowledge disputed.

Khawaja made the claim in excerpts from his autobiography, Sabr, and in interviews. He said discussions about altering the ball took place during Australia’s 2018 tour of South Africa and included players and staff. His account places discussions about using sandpaper during the preceding Port Elizabeth Test, before the incident at Cape Town.

Khawaja said he urged teammates after the Cape Town Test to accept collective responsibility. He said Cricket Australia did not interview him during its investigation, despite his sitting beside Bancroft during the match. Khawaja suggested investigators knew he would support a shared account, but that explanation is his own view.

The 2018 inquiry found prior knowledge confined to Smith, Warner and Bancroft. Smith and Warner received 12-month bans, while Bancroft received a nine-month ban. Khawaja was...