David Warner Backs Usman Khawaja on Sandpaper Gate Claims

Former Australia opener David Warner has publicly backed Usman Khawaja over his recent comments about the 2018 ball-tampering controversy, saying Khawaja’s account was “100% accurate” and that the issues he raised deserved scrutiny.

In a video shared on Instagram, Warner said the focus should be on Khawaja’s claims rather than on questions over why the matter had resurfaced eight years after the incident. Warner said Khawaja had told his own story and expressed full support for him.

“It’s been eight years since I’ve spoken on this topic. And Uzzie, I throw my full support behind you,” Warner said. “It’s 100% accurate what you’ve said. Now everyone knows the truth. It’s out there.”

Warner’s intervention adds a prominent voice to the renewed discussion around the 2018 scandal, one of the most consequential episodes in recent Australian cricket. The controversy led to bans for Warner and former Australia captain Steven Smith, while Cameron Bancroft also received a suspension.

Warner questions the investigation process

Warner also criticised the process used to investigate the ball-tampering matter. He pointed to Khawaja not being interviewed despite, according to Warner, sitting next to Bancroft at the time.

“Now, this whole interview process was rushed and botched,” Warner said. “Uzzie was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft; Uzzie was not interviewed. How is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me.”

Warner said his comments were not intended to assign blame or reopen personal wounds. Instead, he framed the renewed debate around accountability, transparency and whether the investigation was examined thoroughly.

“We’re not here to point fingers, and we’re not opening our wounds,” Warner said. “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.”

Until now, the widely accepted account maintained by Cricket Australia and those involved was that Smith, Warner and Bancroft were the only players responsible for the 2018 incident. Smith and Warner were handed 12-month bans from international and domestic cricket, while Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.

Warner said there had been statements and inaccuracies in public discussion over the past eight years, while some people had remained silent. He said the latest debate had also forced him to revisit the episode with his family.

Family impact remains central to Warner’s response

Warner said he had recently spoken to his daughters about the controversy after they asked questions about what happened around the time of the scandal. He described the conversation as difficult, including explaining why the family had been surrounded by cameras and why they had been crying on television.

“That was a hard thing to do,” Warner said. He added that he had told his daughters to tell the truth because “lies will eventually get out.”

The former opener said the period had been tough for his family, as well as for the families of Smith and Bancroft. He nevertheless maintained that Khawaja’s comments needed to be aired and repeated his backing for his former Australia teammate.

Warner’s statement does not add new details about the incident itself, but it firmly supports Khawaja’s call for accountability around the investigation. Eight years after the scandal, Warner said the central issue should be whether the truth was properly examined.