Cricket Australia says it will not reopen 2018 sandpaper investigation despite new claims

Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg told radio station SEN that the governing body will not reopen the 2018 sandpaper investigation, noting that members of the squad at the time have conflicting memories of how the ball-tampering plan was devised and executed.

Greenberg said he had spoken with several players after Usman Khawaja’s book \"Sabr\" raised new allegations about the incident in Cape Town. He emphasized respect for Khawaja’s right to tell his side but added that other teammates’ accounts differ markedly, and a new inquiry would be unlikely to change the overall picture.

\"People have very different views of what happened, and recollections of what happened,\" Greenberg said. \"We’re comfortable with the outcome of the investigation based on the information we’ve received. There’s no compelling reason to reopen it.\"

Khawaja’s memoir claims that sandpaper use was common knowledge within the team and that he concealed this detail from his publisher until six months ago. The former opening batsman denied negotiating any book-sales angle related to the scandal, stating that Penguin Books gave him full editorial control.

The four Australian bowlers who toured South Africa, including Pat Cummins, issued joint statements in 2021 denying knowledge of sandpaper use and have not commented on Khawaja’s new assertions. Greenberg said their positions remain consistent with statements made during the original 2018 probe led by then-CA chief James Sutherland and integrity head Iain Roy.

Former captain Michael Clarke argued that the fallout from the scandal still affects the game and called for a re-examination, suggesting fans remain uncertain about the truth. Greenberg responded that the 2018 investigation was concluded quickly due to scheduling pressures and that revisiting decisions with hindsight would be impractical.

\"Everyone was encouraged at the time to come forward, and they continue to be welcome to do so,\" Greenberg added. \"Trying to second-guess decisions from eight years ago is an impossible task.\"