David Warner backs Usman Khawaja over 2018 Australia ball tampering claims

Former Australia opener David Warner stated that Usman Khawaja is 100 per cent accurate in his account of the national team using sandpaper to alter the ball during the 2018 series in South Africa. BBC News, ABC News Australia and The Guardian reported that Warner broke his eight year silence to back his former teammate. The incident took place during the third Test match in Cape Town. [1][2][3]

The Guardian reported that Warner also criticized Cricket Australia, describing its investigation into the scandal as rushed and botched. Warner gave his support to Khawaja in a social media video. Khawaja recently stated in a new book that the entire team knew about the plan to use sandpaper, despite repeated denials from the bowlers. [1][3]

Following the 2018 Cape Town Test, Warner and captain Steve Smith received one year bans, while batter Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months, BBC News reported. [1]

The Guardian reported that ODI captain Mitch Marsh and Test captain Pat Cummins are both expected to face media questioning this week regarding the renewed claims. [3]