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Australia DID tamper with the ball during 2017-18 Ashes ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal – and the whole team knew, admits former player Usman Khawaja

The series, which England lost 4-0, was marred by the 'Sandpapergate' scandal after Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to rough up a ball to make it swing in flight.

By RICHARD GIBSON · Daily Mail

Published: Tuesday, 10 November 2026 at 4:17 PM

Key Things to Know

Usman Khawaja revealed Australia tampered with the ball during the 2017-18 Ashes series with the entire team's knowledge.
Khawaja explained players raised the quarter seam flaps to artificially generate reverse swing in Adelaide and Perth.
David Warner supported Khawaja's claims, while bowler Mitchell Starc maintained he had no knowledge of tampering.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Former Australian batter Usman Khawaja has revealed in his autobiography, Sabr, that Australia manipulated the ball during their 2017-18 Ashes victory over England. Khawaja admitted the entire team was aware of the practice, explaining they raised the flaps on the quarter seam in Adelaide and Perth to engineer reverse swing. David Warner supported the claims, calling them entirely accurate.

England had previously suspected ball tampering during the Perth Test, where Australian bowlers generated unusual reverse swing despite damp conditions. Despite former captain Michael Clarke calling for a renewed inquiry into the matter, Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg stated the governing body has no plans to reopen the investigation.

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