Developing story: This is a developing story. Information below comes from interviews, statements and news reports published November 7 to 11, 2026, and it may change. Latest update (November 11): Khawaja has pulled out of further interviews, while his publisher says the book tour is still going ahead with adjustments.

Quick answer: Usman Khawaja's memoir Sabr, published on November 10, 2026, includes a chapter on the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal in which he claims the entire Australian team knew about the plan to use sandpaper. David Warner has called his account "100 per cent accurate," Mitchell Starc has denied knowing anything, and Cricket Australia says it will not reopen its investigation.

Graphic for the Usman Khawaja book Sabr and the Sandpapergate controversy
Usman Khawaja's memoir Sabr was published on November 10, 2026.

Former Australia opener Usman Khawaja's autobiography Sabr has reopened one of cricket's most debated scandals. The book includes a chapter titled "Sandpaper" about the 2018 Cape Town Test, in which Khawaja says the whole touring party knew about the plan to use sandpaper on the ball. His claim contradicts Cricket Australia's original finding and a 2021 joint statement from four Australian bowlers, and it has split opinion among his former teammates.

What Is Sabr?

Sabr: Finding My Way in Cricket and Life is Khawaja's first book, published by Penguin on November 10, 2026, as a 448-page hardback, ebook and audiobook. The title is the Arabic word for patience. The memoir covers his childhood in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Australia, his place as Australia's first Muslim Test player, his comeback in 2022, and his retirement from international cricket in January 2026 after 88 Tests, 6,229 runs and 16 centuries.

What Khawaja Claims About Sandpapergate

These are Khawaja's claims, not findings by any investigation.

  • He says the entire team knew about the use of sandpaper in Cape Town. He told Nine newspapers ahead of the release that it was "all of us."
  • He says sandpaper had also been used on the ball in the previous Test, in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).
  • He says he was never interviewed by Cricket Australia's investigator, even though he sat next to Cameron Bancroft in the dressing room.
  • He writes that when sandpaper was first discussed, Steve Smith essentially said he did not want to know.
  • He argues that Smith, David Warner and Bancroft were made scapegoats while wider knowledge existed.
  • He says his aim is team accountability, not a witch-hunt: he wants the team to accept the incident as a group.

For context, Cricket Australia's original investigation found that only Smith, Warner and Bancroft had prior knowledge.

David Warner's Reaction

  • Backs the account: In an Instagram video published around November 9, Warner called Khawaja's account "100 per cent accurate." Reports describe it as his first public comment on the scandal in eight years.
  • Criticizes the 2018 investigation: He described Cricket Australia's original probe as "rushed and botched," noting that Khawaja was never interviewed, and urged Cricket Australia to reopen it.
  • Defends the timing: He pushed back on suggestions that Khawaja raised the issue now to sell books.
  • Khawaja's response: When ABC's Sarah Ferguson asked Khawaja about Warner's comments on the 7.30 program, Khawaja said he would not speak on Warner's behalf.
  • Comment on the former coach: Warner replied on X agreeing with former match referee Chris Broad's criticism of Darren Lehmann, who was Australia's coach in 2018. Lehmann has said he does not believe everyone would have known.
  • Own book: The Telegraph reports that Warner plans to release his own book on the scandal.

Warner and Smith were banned for 12 months over the 2018 incident, and Bancroft for nine months.

Graphic summarizing reactions to Khawaja's Sandpapergate claims: Warner backs him, Starc denies, Cricket Australia will not reopen the investigation
Reactions to Khawaja's claims at a glance.

How Others Responded

  • Mitchell Starc: Denied any prior knowledge and stood by the 2021 joint statement he issued with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.
  • Pat Cummins: Before the book came out, Cummins said he was not worried about new revelations and that Khawaja had told him about the book a few weeks earlier without detail. He is expected to speak to the media in the coming days.
  • Cricket Australia: CEO Todd Greenberg told SEN radio there is no compelling reason to reopen the investigation. He said he had not yet read the book, respects Khawaja's right to tell his version, and pointed to details that conflict with other accounts. Cricket Australia had earlier said it was comfortable with the findings of the 2018 investigation.
  • Chadd Sayers: Reports say he backed Khawaja's account.
  • Australian Cricketers' Association: Urged an end to the furore and to online abuse.
  • Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith: Bancroft declined to speak in depth to reporters. Smith had not spoken publicly about the book at the time of the latest report.
  • Mitchell Marsh: Due to address the media on Thursday.

The ABC Interview and the Book Tour

On Tuesday evening, November 10, Khawaja was interviewed on ABC's 7.30 program. Asked repeatedly whether the four frontline bowlers, or Cummins in particular, knew about the sandpaper, he declined to answer and said he had simply told his truth in the book. Reports on November 11 said he had withdrawn from further interviews, concerned that coverage would focus only on the ball-tampering chapter. His publisher, Penguin, said the book tour is still going ahead and that only some adjustments were made this week.

Sandpapergate Timeline

  • March 2018: During the third Test in Cape Town, Bancroft is caught on camera using sandpaper on the ball. Smith and Warner are banned for 12 months and Bancroft for nine months, and coach Darren Lehmann resigns.
  • 2021: Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon issue a joint statement denying knowledge of the plan.
  • January 2026: Khawaja retires from international cricket at the SCG.
  • Saturday, November 7, 2026: In an interview with Nine newspapers, Khawaja claims the entire team knew. Cricket Australia says it is comfortable with its original findings.
  • November 9: Warner posts his Instagram video backing Khawaja. Greenberg tells SEN radio there is no compelling reason to reopen the investigation.
  • Tuesday, November 10: Sabr is released. Khawaja gives his ABC 7.30 interview, and Starc denies any knowledge.
  • November 11: Khawaja pulls out of further interviews. Penguin says the tour continues with adjustments, and the Australian Cricketers' Association calls for calm.
Timeline of the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal and the November 2026 reaction to Khawaja's book
Key events from 2018 to November 11, 2026.

What Is Confirmed and What Is Disputed

Confirmed: Sabr was published on November 10, 2026 and contains a chapter on Sandpapergate. Warner publicly backs Khawaja's account. Starc publicly denies knowing anything. Cricket Australia's CEO says there is no compelling reason to reopen the investigation.

Disputed or unverified: whether the entire team knew about the plan, and whether the bowlers knew. Khawaja declined to name specific players when asked, and Cricket Australia's original finding remains that only Smith, Warner and Bancroft had prior knowledge.

What to Watch Next

  • Public comments from Cummins, Marsh and Smith
  • Whether Cricket Australia changes its position on reopening the case
  • Any further detail from Warner, who is reported to be planning his own book
  • How the controversy affects the upcoming Test series

FAQ

What is Usman Khawaja's book Sabr?

Sabr: Finding My Way in Cricket and Life is the memoir of former Australia opener Usman Khawaja, published by Penguin on November 10, 2026.

What does Khawaja claim about Sandpapergate?

He claims the entire Australian team knew about the plan to use sandpaper on the ball in Cape Town in 2018, and that sandpaper was also used in the previous Test. These are his claims and have not been proven.

What did David Warner say about Khawaja's book?

Warner called Khawaja's account "100 per cent accurate," criticized Cricket Australia's original investigation as "rushed and botched," and urged Cricket Australia to reopen it.

Will Cricket Australia reopen the 2018 investigation?

Not at this time. CEO Todd Greenberg said there is no compelling reason to reopen it.

How did Mitchell Starc respond?

Starc denied any prior knowledge and stood by the 2021 joint statement issued by himself, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.

Has Khawaja cancelled his book tour?

He withdrew from some interviews after a tense ABC appearance, but his publisher says the tour is still going ahead with adjustments.

What happened in the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal?

During the Cape Town Test, Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper on the ball. Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for 12 months and Bancroft for nine months.