‘So we finally now know the most hidden secret in the game’ – Michael Vaughan thrashes Australia after Usman Khawaja’s sandpapergate revelation

Former England captain Michael Vaughan reacted sharply on social media after Usman Khawaja claimed the entire Australian team knew about the 2018 ball-tampering incident in Cape Town. Writing on X, Vaughan mockingly labeled the revelation cricket's most obvious secret, remarking that the full reality took eight years to emerge publicly and suggesting the sport can now move forward.

Khawaja made the claims ahead of releasing a book, stating the practice was also used in Port Elizabeth and driven by a toxic win-at-all-costs culture. However, Khawaja's childhood coach Bill Anderson stated that some teammates refused Khawaja's push to admit collective knowledge. The 2018 scandal previously resulted in lengthy bans for Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft.