WHAT HAPPENED
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has ruled out opening a new investigation into the 2018 South Africa ball-tampering scandal, despite fresh claims from Usman Khawaja that the knowledge of the scheme extended beyond the three players who were sanctioned. Greenberg said he did not see a compelling reason for a fresh probe, according to multiple reports carried this week. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-10/cricket-australia-no-sandpapergate-investigation/107367290?utm_source=openai))

The renewed attention began after Khawaja’s comments in a recent book and interviews reignited scrutiny of the Cape Town episode, which saw Cameron Bancroft caught using sandpaper on the ball during the third Test against South Africa in 2018. Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner were disciplined by Cricket Australia at the time, and CA has said it remains comfortable with the original findings. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-07/usman-khawaja-sandpapergate-ball-tampering-south-africa-cricket/107345086?utm_source=openai))

Mitchell Starc has since denied any prior knowledge of the plot, adding another public response to the latest round of allegations and counter-allegations. ([skysports.com](https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/13610462/sandpapergate-mitchell-starc-denies-knowledge-after-usman-khawaja-claims-as-cricket-australia-says-investigation-will-not-be-re-opened?utm_source=openai))

WHY IT MATTERS
Sandpapergate remains one of the most damaging episodes in Australian cricket, and any suggestion the original inquiry missed key facts carries obvious reputational risk for the sport’s governing body. The fact that CA is declining to revisit the case, while prominent former players dispute the new claims, means the issue is now as much about trust in the original process as it is about the 2018 incident itself. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-10/cricket-australia-no-sandpapergate-investigation/107367290?utm_source=openai))

WHO SHOULD CARE
Cricket Australia, current and former Test players, sponsors, broadcasters and fans all have a stake in how this latest controversy is handled. It also matters to anyone watching how sporting bodies respond when new allegations are made about previously investigated misconduct. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-10/cricket-australia-no-sandpapergate-investigation/107367290?utm_source=openai))

WHAT AIM IS WATCHING
AIM will be watching whether any new documentary evidence emerges that could pressure Cricket Australia to revisit the matter, and whether further public comments from players or officials widen the split over what happened in South Africa. For now, the governing body’s position is clear: no new inquiry. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-10/cricket-australia-no-sandpapergate-investigation/107367290?utm_source=openai))