Sandpapergate: David Warner claims Cricket Australia's investigation into 2018 scandal 'stinks of a cover-up'
David Warner has issued fresh claims that three of Australia's bowlers, who played during the infamous 2018 Test match against South Africa in Cape Town were not interviewed by Cricket Australia as part of their investigations into the ball-tampering scandal
Saturday 14 November 2026 08:23, UK
David Warner has claimed Cricket Australia’s investigation into the 2018 ball tampering scandal “stinks of a cover-up”.
Usman Khawaja's claims in his new autobiography reignited the controversy that rocked Australian cricket eight years ago, with the former opening batter stating that the entire Australian team knew sandpaper was being used to alter the ball before their Test against South Africa in Cape Town in 2018.
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Warner has now doubled down on his criticisms of Cricket Australia's investigation into the saga, claiming they had not interviewed three of the bowlers, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc or Nathan Lyon, as part of what he called a "shoddy investigation" into the sandpaper scandal.
"As far as I am aware, CA [Cricket Australia] did not interview Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc or Nathan Lyon in their 2018 investigation," Warner wrote in a post on Instagram.
"If that's correct, then how can CA push the idea that their bowlers didn't know?
"It looks like they had decided who they wanted to blame from the very beginning, ran a shoddy to serve the purpose and now they want to maintain the false narrative that the bowlers had no idea.
"That stinks of a cover-up."
Sky Sports News have contacted Cricket Australia for comment.
Previously Warner had said Cricket Australia's investigation into the sandpaper scandal was "rushed and botched", with the former opener issuing his support to Khawaja during a statement issued earlier in the week on Monday.
Current captain Pat Cummins, who played during the Newlands Test, flatly denied any claims that he knew sandpaper was being used during the Cape Town Test on Friday, but Warner later said the fast bowler had "thrown Khawaja under the bus".
More to follow…
