Former Australian cricket head coach Darren Lehmann has dismissed claims made by Usman Khawaja in his soon-to-be-released autobiography, “Sabr”, regarding the ball-tampering scandal during the 2018 South Africa tour. Lehmann, who coached the side at the time, refuted Khawaja’s suggestion that the entire team was aware of the sandpaper incident at Newlands.
Speaking on ABC Grandstand, Lehmann clarified that he was not privy to any discussions about tampering that Khawaja alleged occurred during the Cape Town Test. “I don’t think everyone would have known,” Lehmann mentioned. He acknowledged that ball-tampering had long been part of cricket, but insisted he was unaware of specific conversations during the match. Lehmann maintained, “We paid a heavy price for that.”
Khawaja’s interview with Nine newspapers revealed his account, “It was all of us,” just days before the release of his book. The former coach however claimed to have no knowledge of a dressing room speech where Khawaja allegedly advocated for collective responsibility among the players. Lehmann stressed, “I can only know what I know… we’ve just got to accept the consequences.”
Lehmann shared that he had no recollection of events such as the alleged discussion between Cameron Bancroft and a coach before the televised sandpaper exposure. “Probably should have known about that conversation,” he admitted, suggesting that multiple conversations could have taken place unknowingly.
Adding to the complexity, Lehmann revealed he wasn’t contacted ahead of Khawaja’s public statements, unlike Pat Cummins and Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg. The former coach recounted the emotional toll of the scandal, stating he secluded himself at home for months following it. “It’s a really touchy one mentally,” Lehmann shared, reflecting on the strain.
As of now, Cricket Australia has reaffirmed their support for the integrity of their processes following these revelations. Among those involved, there has been no official word, though players like Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Marsh have upcoming media engagements which may prove telling. Khawaja, who retired from international cricket earlier this year, has reportedly shared parts of his book with Bancroft.
The lingering implications of 2018 continue to hover over past and present Australian cricket figures, as they grapple with the ongoing fallout of a moment that significantly impacted the sport’s reputation.
