Australia Star Hits Back At Usman Khawaja's Sandpapergate Claims: "People Have Books to Sell"

Usman Khawaja's fresh sandpapergate claims have triggered a row© AFP

Retired Australian batter Usman Khawaja has reignited the ball-tampering scandal from Australia's tour of South Africa in 2018. While the trio of Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were handed lengthy suspensions for their involvement in the Sandpapergate scandal, Khawaja claimed that the entire team knew about what was going on. In his book, 'Sabr', Khawaja said that he thought the truth would have been out by now. Since it was not, he decided to write about it. When veteran Australian batter Nic Maddinson was asked about Khawaja's claims, he said that "people have books to sell".

Maddinson, who has played five Tests and six T20Is for Australia, felt Khawaja's decision to reopen a dark chapter of the country's cricketing history does not help the trio of Warner, Smith, and Bancroft. He further said that the reason behind Khawaja doing so was to sell his book over the festive period.

"It is obviously disappointing that it keeps coming up. But it is that time of year, isn't it, when Christmas comes along, and people have books to sell, so things come out," Maddinson said ahead of New South Wales' Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia in Sydney.

"I think the three guys who have been affected the most [Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft], it does not really help them at all to relive it, especially over the past month, having had a great series in South Africa. Obviously, the crowds were not as hostile [recently in South Africa], maybe as what people expected, but that stuff is still there every day - at airports, and the general public making comments here and there."

Maddinson was part of Australia's squad during the recent tour of South Africa, which culminated in a 1-2 defeat for Pat Cummins' men. He scored 56 runs across four innings, including two ducks. He said it was disappointing to see the controversy erupt just as Australia are entering a busy cricketing period.

"I guess over time it would still wear them down, and [for that] to just pop up at the start of the summer going into a pretty big six months for the team is obviously disappointing for those guys."

While Khawaja said that he had spoken about the mention of the controversy in his book, Maddinson further said he had "no idea" Khawaja was about to reignite the Sandpapergate scandal.

"Cummo [Pat Cummins] is probably the one to speak to," Maddinson said. "It has been documented that Uzzie spoke to him and other players. I literally read the story last night because I thought you might ask me today."

"Apart from that, I live with my head in the sand, in cricket terms. I stay off my phone most of the time. I do not read any media, so I just knew coming today there might be a few questions... regarding it."

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