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The saga that never goes away: wounds of Australian cricket reopened as ball tampering resurfaces | Jack Snape

Australian cricket thought it had left its great shame behind, burying it in the days after Cameron Bancroft was shown on the big screen in Cape Town putting sandpaper down his pants. Cricket Australia acted swiftly at the time, suspending…

Published: Tuesday, 10 November 2026 at 4:56 AM
The saga that never goes away: wounds of Australian cricket reopened as ball tampering resurfaces | Jack Snape
Key Things to Know
  • Jack Snape analyzes how Usman Khawaja's new book has reignited controversies surrounding Australia's 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
  • Khawaja claimed knowledge of sandpaper use went beyond the three players punished by Cricket Australia.
  • Cricket Australia confirmed it will not reopen its investigation into the Cape Town incident.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Jack Snape writes that Usman Khawaja's newly released book has reopened divisions within Australian cricket regarding the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering scandal. Khawaja criticized Cricket Australia's original investigation as rushed and claimed knowledge of sandpaper use extended beyond Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith, and David Warner. David Warner described the original inquiry as botched and endorsed Khawaja's account as accurate.

Cricket Australia stated that players were given opportunities to come forward and confirmed it will not reopen the investigation. Snape notes that current players, including Test captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, and white-ball captain Mitchell Marsh, are expected to face renewed media questions surrounding the event during the upcoming summer schedule.

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