Turnbull rejects claims he politicised 2018 sandpaper scandal
Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said the 2018 ball-tampering incident was a matter of national disappointment, not a political tool, after cricketer Usman Khawaja alleged otherwise in his autobiography.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull responded on Wednesday to allegations in cricketer Usman Khawaja’s newly published autobiography that the former leader used the 2018 sandpaper scandal for political advantage. Khawaja wrote that Turnbull, who had little knowledge of cricket, commented on the affair and appeared to seek leverage for his then-struggling government.
Turnbull, speaking from overseas, said he was surprised by Khawaja’s interpretation.
“I’m surprised that Usman thinks the only reason this was a big deal was because the prime minister said he was disappointed,” Turnbull told the newspaper. “I think every Australian was disappointed. I don’t think I said anything unusual or remarkable.”
When asked whether Cricket Australia should reopen its investigation into the events, Turnbull declined to comment on the body’s future actions.
“I don’t want to express a view on what Cricket Australia should or should not do, eight years on and from the other end of the world.”
He added that players who accepted blame, such as former captain Steve Smith, should reflect on the silence of others who may have been involved.
“If indeed Steve Smith took the blame for a lot of other people who didn’t put their hand up, others who didn’t should maybe reflect on that. They should reflect on their silence, if what Khawaja says is right. I know there are some people who contest it.”
Turnbull recalled his reaction in 2018, saying he had expressed disappointment directly to Cricket Australia chairman David Peever and expected decisive action from the governing body. He described the incident as a “shocking disappointment” for a nation that holds its cricketers in high regard.