WHAT HAPPENED
Usman Khawaja has claimed that every member of Australia’s touring party knew about the use of sandpaper during the team’s 2018 Test series against South Africa. In reporting on the memoir, multiple outlets said Khawaja argued the ball-tampering plot was known within the squad, not just by the three players who were sanctioned after Cricket Australia’s 2018 investigation. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/nov/07/usman-khawaja-australia-cricket-team-sandpaper-ball-tampering-plot?utm_source=openai))

Pat Cummins, Australia’s current captain, has rejected that allegation, describing it as “utter nonsense” in comments reported on 13 November 2026. ABC News also reported that Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said there were no plans to reopen the investigation. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-13/pat-cummins-says-usman-khawaja-casual-with-peoples-lives/107381770?utm_source=openai))

WHY IT MATTERS
The claim reopens one of Australian cricket’s most damaging integrity crises, known as Sandpapergate. The original Cricket Australia inquiry found only David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft had prior knowledge of the plan to use sandpaper on the ball in Cape Town. Khawaja’s account directly challenges that finding and risks prolonging scrutiny of the episode eight years later. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/nov/07/usman-khawaja-australia-cricket-team-sandpaper-ball-tampering-plot?utm_source=openai))

WHO SHOULD CARE
Cricket Australia, national-team players past and present, and South African cricket followers have a direct stake in the dispute because it touches the credibility of the 2018 investigation and the reputations of those involved. Supporters and broadcasters are also likely to watch for any further comments from Khawaja, Cummins or Cricket Australia as the memoir continues to circulate. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-07/usman-khawaja-sandpapergate-ball-tampering-south-africa-cricket/107345086?utm_source=openai))

WHAT AIM IS WATCHING
AIM will be watching whether Khawaja’s claims prompt any formal response from Cricket Australia beyond the current decision not to reopen the case, and whether other former players back or dispute his version of events. The key issue is whether the memoir’s allegations remain a media row or develop into a broader institutional review. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-10/mitchell-starc-responds-to-usman-khawaja-sandpaper-claims/107369870?utm_source=openai))