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.
Pat Cummins
5 stories since 30 October 2026, newest first
14 November 2026
12 November 2026
Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins will address media on Friday at 9.30 am AEDT in Sydney, responding to Usman Khawaja's new autobiography that alleges every player in the 2018 squad knew about sandpaper being used on the ball. The conference follows the book's release a week earlier and comes as the team prepares for the first ODI against England in Perth. The 2018 scandal previously implicated Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who received bans of up to 12 months.
10 November 2026
Mitchell Starc says he was unaware of sandpaper being taken onto the field during the 2018 Cape Town Test and repeats that his recollection has not changed since the 2021 bowlers' statement. Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg confirms there will be no fresh investigation. In his new autobiography, Usman Khawaja alleges the entire Australian squad knew about the ball‑tampering plan, a claim David Warner describes as completely accurate.
1 November 2026
South Africa defeats Australia by 176 runs to secure a 2‑1 series victory, with Australia bowled out for 111 in the fourth innings at Newlands. Simon Harmer records career-best figures of 6 for 16, while Kagiso Rabada claims 3 for 39 in the final spell. The win lifts South Africa to the top of the world Test rankings as Australia drops down. Former Australian captain David Warner later described his side's batting as disgraceful on Fox Sports.
30 October 2026
At lunch on day four of the third Test at Newlands, South Africa had reached 202 for 5, a lead of 102 runs over Australia. Ryan Rickelton was 39 not out off 83 balls alongside Wiaan Mulder, and Matthew Breetzke was 19 not out. Earlier, Australia scored 429 in their first innings, led by Josh Inglis with 102, and South Africa's bowlers took six wickets for 99 runs on day three. South Africa had replied with 329 in its first innings.