Warner alleges cover-up in 2018 cricket ball-tampering probe
Former Australian batter David Warner has said Cricket Australia's 2018 investigation into the Newlands sandpaper scandal was a cover-up and was rushed and botched. He says the inquiry was predetermined and that bowlers Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood were not interviewed. Cricket Australia responds that all players had the chance to speak at the time and that players can still offer new evidence. Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has ruled out reopening the investigation. Usman Khawaja's autobiography has revived the dispute, and Pat Cummins, the current Test captain, says he was interviewed. Starc again denied prior knowledge of the incident.
Key facts
- Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft were the only players punished by Cricket Australia in 2018.
- Darren Lehmann was cleared of wrongdoing but resigned as head coach at the end of the 2018 series.
- A source close to the bowling group says Warner's comments are untrue.
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Why it matters
The dispute revives scrutiny of how Cricket Australia handled the 2018 sandpaper scandal, eight years on.
What changed
First published from ABC News (Australia), The Guardian, Yahoo Sports, Sky Sports and The Independent