David Warner has intensified the controversy surrounding the 2018 ball-tampering scandal by accusing Cricket Australia (CA) of orchestrating a cover-up. The former vice-captain's remarks come amid renewed scrutiny following explosive claims by batsman Usman Khawaja in his autobiography.
Warner, who retired from international cricket in 2024, served a one-year ban for his involvement in the scandal that erupted during a Test series in South Africa. He now questions the integrity of CA's investigation, alleging that key bowlers were not interviewed.
Warner: Bowlers Not Interviewed
"As far as I am aware, CA did not interview Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc or Nathan Lyon in their 2018 investigation," Warner said. "If that's correct, then how can CA push the idea that the bowlers didn't know? It looks like they had decided who they wanted to blame from the very beginning, ran a shoddy investigation to serve the purpose and now they want to maintain the false narrative that the bowlers had no idea."
The four frontline bowlers in the Cape Town Test - Hazlewood, Starc, Lyon and Pat Cummins - have consistently denied knowledge of the plan to use sandpaper to alter the ball's condition.
Cummins, who has captained Australia's Test team since 2021, stated in a press conference on Friday that he was interviewed during the investigation. He also rejected suggestions that the entire team was aware of the scheme, calling such claims "100% wrong" and "utter nonsense".
CA Responds
Cricket Australia responded to Warner's allegations by reiterating that all players had the opportunity to speak during the initial investigation and have had the chance to present new evidence in the eight years since. "CA has respected every player and former players' right to provide their own version of events," a spokesperson said.
The scandal, which rocked Australian cricket, led to lengthy bans for Warner, then-captain Steve Smith, and opener Cameron Bancroft. Khawaja's autobiography has reignited debate, with the batsman claiming the entire team knew about the sandpaper use. Khawaja also revealed he was not interviewed as part of the investigation, despite sitting next to Bancroft in the dressing room.
Warner has stood by Khawaja, stating, "I stick with Uzzie. It's the truth. The captain threw Uzzie under the bus." CA has confirmed it will not reopen the investigation.
The controversy continues to divide Australian cricket, with the nation grappling with the fallout from one of its darkest sporting chapters.
