David Warner backs Usman Khawaja over Australia's 2018 sandpaper scandal

Australia's 2018 ball-tampering scandal centred on the use of sandpaper against South Africa in Cape Town. Cameron Bancroft was caught damaging the ball while fielding, according to Express & Star.

The dispute now concerns how widely the plan was known. Former Australia opener Usman Khawaja claims the entire dressing room knew, Sky Sports reported. His account extends that knowledge to staff as well as players, according to ABC Australia.

On November 6, coverage of Khawaja's allegations widened the focus beyond Cape Town. He also said sandpaper had been used on the ball in Port Elizabeth, according to The Guardian Cricket. The same report said Cricket Australia remained comfortable with bans only for Bancroft, Warner and Smith.

On November 7, Darren Lehmann downplayed the allegations and linked them to selling books, Times now reported. By November 8, Express & Star reported that the former Australia coach had denied Khawaja's claims of widespread knowledge.

Also on November 8, Khawaja defended both his account and the timing of its publication. He said he had not "thrown anyone under the bus" and would "not deny" that everyone knew about the sandpaper, according to The Guardian Cricket. Al Jazeera reported that he rejected suggestions the disclosure was a marketing ploy to sell his book.

Khawaja said he had been ready to speak publicly in 2021 but did not want to "go to war" with Australia's bowlers, who had denied knowing about a plan to tamper with the ball, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on November 8.

On November 9, Warner publicly backed Khawaja. He called the account "100 per cent accurate" and criticised Cricket Australia's investigation, according to ABC Australia.

Warner's support gives Khawaja's account another public endorsement from someone involved in the scandal. But the accounts remain in conflict: Khawaja alleges widespread knowledge, while Lehmann denies that claim, according to Express & Star.

Cricket Australia's reported position remains that it is comfortable with the bans imposed only on Bancroft, Warner and Smith, according to The Guardian Cricket. The latest allegations challenge the scope of responsibility established at the time, but the supplied coverage does not report new disciplinary findings.

One-day international captain Mitch Marsh will face the media this week, and red ball captain Pat Cummins is also expected to face questions, The Guardian Cricket reported on November 9. Their responses could add to the public account of who knew about the sandpaper use.

The central unresolved issue is the gap between Khawaja's claim of collective knowledge and the narrower group that received bans. Warner has also questioned the investigation, according to ABC Australia, putting renewed attention on Cricket Australia's response.