Warner backs Khawaja over Sandpaper Gate remarks, questions how investigation was conducted

David Warner has publicly backed Usman Khawaja's recent claims about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, stating that the truth needed to come out and questioning the manner in which Cricket Australia conducted its investigation at the time. Warner shared his views via Instagram, crediting Khawaja for speaking out and describing his account as entirely accurate.

In his autobiography titled 'Sabr', Khawaja alleged that all Australian players and staff were aware that sandpaper was being used to tamper with the ball during the 2018 tour of South Africa. Khawaja also revealed that he was never interviewed by Cricket Australia about the incident, despite being present alongside Cameron Bancroft during the Cape Town Test where the tampering took place. The scandal itself occurred during the third Test at Newlands, Cape Town on March 24, 2018.

Warner said he had spent the previous days explaining the events to his daughters before posting his response. He described telling his 12-year-old daughter Ivy why the family had been surrounded by cameras and why they had been seen crying on television.

"Now, there were a lot of statements and inaccuracies over the last eight years that were out in the media by people, and there were a lot of people who stayed silent. The last couple of days, I've had to be—I've been talking to my daughters, and that's why it's taken me a couple of days to get this out, because I've had to tell them exactly what had happened. Especially my 12-year-old, Ivy, wanting to know why we were holding her, why there were so many cameras, why we were crying on TV," Warner said in an Instagram Post.

"That was a hard thing to do. But one thing I did say is, 'Girls, tell the truth, because lies will eventually get out.' It was a very tough time. This is for everyone in Australia. It's been—it's been the question that everyone's been asking. Uzzie, you've said it how it is. It's 100% accurate," he added.

What did Warner say about the investigation and Khawaja's account?

Warner directed pointed criticism at the process Cricket Australia followed when it investigated the scandal in 2018. The governing body's inquiry concluded that only three players had prior knowledge of the ball-tampering plot: Warner, Smith and Bancroft. Bancroft received a nine-month ban from domestic cricket, while Warner and Smith were each handed 12-month suspensions from international cricket.

Warner challenged that finding directly, noting that Khawaja had been seated next to Bancroft yet was never called in for questioning. He argued that this omission alone raised serious doubts about how thoroughly the investigation had been carried out.

"Now, this whole interview process was rushed and botched. Uzzie was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft; Uzzie was not interviewed. How is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me. We're not here to point fingers, and we're not opening our wounds. It's about accountability, transparency, ensuring that the truth is properly examined. And perhaps it's time people stop scrutinising the person asking for accountability and start asking those responsible for the investigation to provide it," Warner questioned.

Warner also addressed those who had questioned Khawaja's timing, with some suggesting the claims were linked to the release of his book. Warner was clear that the autobiography represented Khawaja's personal story and his own beliefs, and that the wider public had long wanted answers on the matter.

What has Khawaja said and where does he stand now?

Khawaja stated that the use of sandpaper during the 2018 South Africa tour was known to all Australian players and staff, not just the three individuals sanctioned by Cricket Australia. He specifically pointed to the Test at Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha, as another occasion where sandpaper was used.

Khawaja also confirmed that he was never approached by Cricket Australia for an interview as part of the investigation, a fact that Warner highlighted as a fundamental flaw in the process. Khawaja retired from international cricket in January 2026 after representing Australia in 88 Tests. Warner expressed his full backing for Khawaja in unambiguous terms

"It's been eight years since I've spoken on this topic. And Uzzie (Usman Khawaja), I throw my full support behind you. I thank you for what you've done. It's 100% accurate what you've said. Now everyone knows the truth. It's out there. People wanted to know it; you've come out and said it, and now people are saying, 'Why eight years on?' Talking about selling a book—this is Usman's story. This is what Usman believes," Warner said.