![Usman Khawaja and Michael Vaughan [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794030586157_UsmanKhawajaandVaughan.jpg?type=hq)
Usman Khawaja and Michael Vaughan [Source: AFP]
Usman Khawaja has brought Australia's infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal back into the spotlight with fresh revelations from his upcoming autobiography, Sabr.
The former Australian opener has challenged the long-standing account of who knew about the sandpaper plan during the South Africa tour.
His claims have attracted reactions from former cricketers, including ex-England captain Michael Vaughan, who did not hold back while responding to the latest developments.
Michael Vaughan mocks Usman Khawaja's Sandpapergate revelations
Michael Vaughan took a sarcastic swipe at Usman Khawaja after the former Australian batter claimed that the entire team knew about the ball-tampering discussions during the 2018 South Africa tour.
Khawaja's revelations challenge Cricket Australia's investigation, which had identified only Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft as having prior knowledge of the plan.
Reacting to the claims on social media, Vaughan suggested that the revelation was hardly surprising and questioned why it had taken eight years to come out. The former England captain wrote:
"So we finally now know the most hidden secret in the game … all the Aussie team knew about the sandpaper … 8 yrs later it all comes out … no s**t Sherlock … now can we just move on … "
The former opener and major controversy stirrer, Khawaja, said discussions about altering the condition of the ball had taken place openly within the Australian camp, rather than being limited to the three players who were punished.
"It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us," Khawaja said. He also explained why he had decided to speak about the incident after such a long period.
"In an ideal world, I don't want to do this. I don't want to be the one who comes out and talks about the truth. The issue is that I genuinely thought after eight years the truth would have been out by now."
The former opener also claimed that sandpaper had been discussed and used during the previous Test in Port Elizabeth, before Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera handling the material during the Cape Town Test.
Cricket Australia stands by its original Sandpapergate investigation
Khawaja's account has put the spotlight back on Cricket Australia's investigation into the 2018 scandal. However, the governing body has maintained that its original findings remain sound and that all relevant information presented to it was considered.
Cricket Australia also reiterated that individuals still have the opportunity to provide further information, indicating that the matter is not closed to additional submissions.
Australia captain Pat Cummins, who featured in the Cape Town Test, had previously played down suggestions that Khawaja's autobiography would trigger another major fallout from the controversy.
Australia and South Africa have since resumed their Test rivalry, with the Australian team returning to the country last month for the first time since the 2018 incident. South Africa won that three-match series 2-1.
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