Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive Todd Greenberg has stated there is no “compelling reason” to re-examine the infamous 2018 sandpaper scandal, despite fresh allegations from Usman Khawaja and David Warner. The CA board believes there is “absolutely no benefit in going back,” given the conflicting accounts from those present in the Cape Town dressing room.
Greenberg told SEN radio: “There’s absolutely no benefit in going back. That’s the clear position of the CA board. It’s time to look ahead. The matter was dealt with under a previous leadership back in 2018.”
Khawaja has rekindled the controversy through his recent autobiography “Sabr,” where he devotes a chapter to the incident, alleging that Warner, Steve Smith, and Cameron Bancroft were not the only ones aware of the ball-tampering plan. Khawaja’s testament claims that the team employed sandpaper during the second Test in Port Elizabeth, before the Newlands exposure.
Significantly, Khawaja disclosed he was not interviewed during the original inquiry, despite being next to Bancroft during the Cape Town Test. Warner has said Khawaja’s account is “100% accurate,” echoed by Chadd Sayers, a squad member in 2018. Cricinfo understands another player corroborates Khawaja’s version. A CA spokesperson announced the organisation stands by the 2018 investigation’s findings.
None of the leadership from CA’s 2018 board remain in their positions. Greenberg, not affiliated with cricket in 2018, served as CEO of the Australian Cricketers’ Association from 2020 to 2025 before his current role. In a statement on Tuesday, he said he had not read Khawaja’s book yet had spoken with him about it.
Greenberg asserted: “We’re comfortable with the investigation’s outcome based on the information we’ve reviewed, including Usman’s contributions. There is no compelling reason to revisit this matter.”
He noted players from the Cape Town locker room maintain differing narratives: “I can assure you, many players have a very different version, consistent since 2018,” Greenberg remarked. “These narratives will likely remain the same, reflecting diverse accounts from eight years ago.”
Greenberg announced Australia captain Pat Cummins would soon address the issue, while Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh, also players in the Cape Town Test, are scheduled for media appearances.
“You’ll hear from Pat and other players soon,” Greenberg mentioned. “The bowlers have been consistent since the initial 2018 investigation. Amid calls for truth, their consistent stance should not be surprising. Pat will speak shortly, maintaining the consistent position we’ve seen since 2018.”
