Usman Khawaja's autobiography *Sabr* has reignited the Australian cricket community over the long-running sandpapering scandal. The former batter's memoir suggests that the controversy extends beyond the well-known 2018 case involving Cameron Bancroft, hinting at potential involvement from other players like Steve Smith and David Warner. Khawaja, speaking in *Sabr*, frames the issue as a collective responsibility for "team Australia," urging accountability rather than witch hunts.
The former player has not named individuals and has left the investigation open, with Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg stating there is no compelling reason to reopen the case. While some teammates like Chadd Sayers have supported Khawaja's account, the coaching staff and CA have remained largely silent. The book has sparked renewed debate about whether the entire Australia squad shares responsibility for the sandpaper plot, with Smith, Warner, and Bancroft still being the primary figures under scrutiny.
The scandal continues to cast a shadow over Australian cricket, with the term "sandpapergate" now morphing into "book-gate" as the story gains wider attention.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing