{"id":766,"date":"2026-11-07T03:13:34","date_gmt":"2026-11-07T03:13:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/07\/reactions-to-usman-khawajas-all-of-us-sandpaper-claim\/"},"modified":"2026-11-07T03:13:34","modified_gmt":"2026-11-07T03:13:34","slug":"reactions-to-usman-khawajas-all-of-us-sandpaper-claim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/07\/reactions-to-usman-khawajas-all-of-us-sandpaper-claim\/","title":{"rendered":"Reactions to Usman Khawaja\u2019s \u201call of us\u201d sandpaper claim"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last Updated on 7 minutes ago by Charbel Coorey<\/a><\/p>\n

Usman Khawaja claims the whole Australian group knew about sandpaper in the 2018 Test series against South Africa, and even revealed that using sandpaper was discussed in the previous Test at Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha).<\/p>\n

In an interview with Nine<\/em> ahead of the launch of his autobiography Sabr, Khawaja said everyone was involved rather than only the leadership group. David Warner and then-captain Steve Smith were banned for 12 months, Cameron Bancroft for nine, while coach Darren Lehmann and CEO James Sutherland resigned from their respective roles.<\/p>\n

What did Usman Khawaja say about the sandpaper scandal?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cIt was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us,\u201d Khawaja said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve seen Davey [Warner] over the last eight years just get nailed bad over and over again, and it\u2019s taken a big man not to say anything and just to stay quiet. And he\u2019s just copped it and he\u2019s copped it and he\u2019s copped it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then \u2018Bangers\u2019 [Bancroft] in the same note, particularly, he played a little bit of Test cricket after that, but then never came back in, even though he\u2019s been scoring a lot of runs. He\u2019s been a terrific cricketer for a long time, but I know it\u2019s something that hangs over his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven Steve Smith. Steve\u2019s lucky, the greatest batsman of my generation. He came back from that, and he\u2019s come back as good as he ever was in that first Ashes series, and it\u2019s kind of been forgotten for him in some respects. But I know he has never ever forgotten that year and how it all panned out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Khawaja says the reason he is coming out with these claims is for the sake of the three players mentioned above.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not doing this for any other reason than I think it\u2019s the right thing to do. I\u2019ve always felt like there\u2019s more to life than just cricket, and these guys, in some respect, deserve that justice. <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it just doesn\u2019t feel like anyone\u2019s going to give it to them. None of those three want to be the first to say anything. And rightly so, it will just be hearsay and \u2018their word\u2019 if they do. They needed someone else to say something.\u201d<\/p>\n

How members of the Australian team \u2013 particularly the bowlers \u2013 respond will make for interesting viewing. In 2021, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon released a joint statement claiming they were unaware about plans to use sandpaper on the ball.<\/p>\n

Cricket Australia respond to Usman Khawaja\u2019s claims<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Cricket Australia (CA) released a statement in light of Khawaja\u2019s claims.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere has been a great deal of speculation in the eight years since the 2018 Cape Town Test, including extensive media coverage throughout last month\u2019s series in South Africa,\u201d the CA statement said, as per Sydney Morning Herald<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDuring this time there has been the ongoing opportunity to present any relevant information, and this remains the case.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll relevant information presented to CA to date has been properly considered and we remain comfortable with the findings of our integrity process.\u201d<\/p>\n

Widespread reaction to Usman Khawaja\u2019s sandpaper claims<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Predictably, Khawaja\u2019s statements on the events of 2018 have led to widespread reaction. Fans have questioned the timing of Khawaja\u2019s claims with his book set to be released.<\/p>\n

Even South Australia coach and former Australia fast bowler Ryan Harris had his say. \u201cIt\u2019s taken him eight years to say that\u2026 that\u2019s a bit disappointing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAstonishing read. Khawaja actually has the nerve to frame this like he\u2019s doing everyone some noble favour \u201cExposing\u201d the truth for your BOOK, years on, once retired and untouchable, is unbelievably low. Why didn\u2019t you speak up when those three were taking the fall and getting handed the bans?\u201d wrote Australia fan Neal Gardner.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he felt so strongly about sandpapergate, keeping quiet while he was still playing was purely self-serving,\u201d wrote Andrew Menzcel, host of Cricket Unfiltered<\/em> podcast.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the reactions.<\/p>\n

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South Australian coach Ryan Harris on Khawaja’s sandpapergate revalations:
“It’s taken him eight years to say that\u2026 that’s a bit disappointing.”@abcsport<\/a> #SAGrandstand<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Aaron Bryans (@AaronBryans) November 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Astonishing read. Khawaja actually has the nerve to frame this like he\u2019s doing everyone some noble favour. <\/p>\n

\u201cExposing\u201d the truth for your BOOK, years on, once retired and untouchable, is unbelievably low. <\/p>\n

Why didn\u2019t you speak up when those three were taking the fall and\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/IoNcFLlN5N<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Neal Gardner (@Nealbackup) November 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Im gutted that Khwaja decided to reveal this in his book. I was counting days to its release to buy it, but I wont anymore. We knew this, but a team player doesnt do this to his mates after CA already punished who they did. A huge disappointment for me as one of his fans. \"\ud83d\udc94\" https:\/\/t.co\/xfk653E9o8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sarah (@SarahShah_85) November 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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People are feeling so smart saying stuff like “wow Khawaja waited until he retired to say this stuff” like obviously \"\ud83d\ude2d\"\"\ud83d\ude2d\"\"\ud83d\ude2d\"\"\ud83d\ude2d\" https:\/\/t.co\/v1qATfKGnH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 rameen \"\ud83d\udc1d\" (@rameenwhile) November 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Peak Khawaja: dropping his teammates in the shit the summer after he retires.<\/p>\n

If he felt so strongly about sandpapergate, keeping quiet while he was still playing was purely self-serving.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Menners \"\ud83c\udf99\" (@amenners) November 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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If this guy believed the entire team shared responsibility, why did he wait eight years to say this publicly? pic.twitter.com\/tySV5sUWl8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Tony Tardio (@tonytardio) November 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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When an entire board and management team are controlling the narrative, individual players have zero leverage. Speaking on it years later when you’re no longer bound by that immediate fear isn’t fake, it’s just reality<\/p>\n

\u2014 Amol (@Amol49619684726) November 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Usman Khawaja’s stance of holier than thou thoroughly exposes himself. If according to him everyone in the team knew about Sandpaper issue what was he waiting for 8 years ?<\/p>\n

\u2014 Makarand Waingankar (@wmakarand) November 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Why has he waited so long to tell \u201chis truth\u201d.
Another book for the bonfire in winter. pic.twitter.com\/E8jE4MmQaT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Australian \"\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\" (@45FirstLady) November 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Khawaja breaking 8 years of silence after retirement is a big convenient but best part is James Sutherland finally exposed, how he put all blames on Smith, Warner & Bancroft openly, banned for a year against icc rule & same year he stepped down https:\/\/t.co\/r114CqpRNW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Iqra (@Iqra87685226) November 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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genuinely hideous how they treated Bancroft. Like absolutely hideous https:\/\/t.co\/Jq4v6CtGhD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 nathan (@_nathanf38) November 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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So Khawaja, a man of extraordinary principle, continued playing for 7 years without disclosing it and decided to do so and throw his former teammates into the fire pit when there was a substantial financial incentive to do so? https:\/\/t.co\/3rJU6wC1jH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Charles Haig (@charles_haig01) November 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Well pigs do fly, I actually agree with Usman Khawaja on something. If you have played ay any level of cricket at all, especially as a bowler, you’d have to be a complete moron to think only three players were of the sandpapergate strategy. https:\/\/t.co\/b1d745YmWC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 TheConservative (@TheConservati19) November 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Does it surprise me that the entire Australian cricket team knew about the sandpaper? No.<\/p>\n

Does it surprise me that Usman Khawaja is the first to make it about himself and be the first to announce it? Also, no.<\/p>\n

I think it\u2019s time to get over it. It\u2019s a horrid day, but it\u2019s over.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Matthew Stone (@stone1_matthew) November 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Sorry but Uzzie is wrong for all this. It’s been almost a decade, if he wanted to “do the right thing” and “be fair”, he should’ve done it while he was still actively playing. Now that he’s retired he’s throwing his former team mates under the bus just because it suits him.<\/p>\n

\u2014 M \"\ud83c\udfcf\" (@auscricketfan33) November 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Never liked Khawaja. What is the point in this? Throw all your mates under the bus to sell a few books \"\ud83d\udeae\" https:\/\/t.co\/DPPMgrrjAj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Anthony Shaw (@anthonyfdshaw) November 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Absolutely grub to do this for money and not when it mattered. https:\/\/t.co\/TiUbKkaCei<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bailey Icewind Dale (@hdhdnxh627w7w) November 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The post Reactions to Usman Khawaja\u2019s \u201call of us\u201d sandpaper claim<\/a> appeared first on CricBlog<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Last Updated on 7 minutes ago by Charbel Coorey Usman Khawaja claims the whole Australian group knew about sandpaper in the 2018 Test series against South Africa, and even revealed that using sandpaper was discussed in the previous Test at Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). In an interview with Nine ahead of the launch of his […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-766","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=766"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=766"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=766"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cricketkidunyya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=766"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}