‘100 per cent accurate’: Warner backs Usman Khawaja’s recent sandpaper gate revelations

FILE PHOTO: David Warner backed Usman Khawaja’s claims of everyone in the team having knowledge about using sandpaper during the 2018 South Africa Test series. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Former Australia cricketer David Warner lent his full support to Usman Khawaja’s revelations regarding the sandpaper gate and thanked his ex-opening partner for revealing the truth.

Warner was one of the three, including Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, to get bans after the Australian players were found using sandpaper to shine the ball during the 2018 South Africa Test series.

While Warner and Smith were handed 12 months ban, Bancroft was given a nine-month ban.

However, Khawaja reignited the discussions where in his autobiography, Sabr, he claimed everyone knew about using the sandpaper.

Warner in an Instagram post on Monday said it was about time the truth came out. “It’s been eight years since I’ve spoken on this topic, and Uzzie, I throw my full support behind you,” he said in a video.

“I thank you for what you’ve done; it’s 100 per cent accurate what you’ve said, now everyone knows the truth.”

Also read | “It was all of us”: Khawaja reopens Sandpapergate debate in new book

“This is for everyone in Australia; it’s been the question everyone has been asking. Uzzie wrote down every single thing from that day on, you said how it is and it’s 100 per cent accurate.

“It’s been a tough time for my family and for Steven (Smith) and Cameron (Bancroft), no doubt, but this is what needed to come out; I fully support that.”

Even while bowlers like current Australian captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have denied having knowledge about players using illegal methods to shine the ball, Warner said the investigation was “botched” by those in charge.

“We’re not here to point fingers, and we’re not opening old wounds. It’s about accountability, transparency, ensuring that the truth is properly examined,” he continued.

“Now, this whole interview process was rushed and botched, but Uzzie was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft. Uzzie was not interviewed; how is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me.

“There were a lot of statements and inaccuracies over the last eight years that were out in the media, by people, and there were a lot of people who stayed silent,” Warner said.

Warner added that people should stop scrutinising person asking for accountability. “One thing I told my girls was to tell the truth because lies will eventually get out.

“This is Usman’s story; this is what Usman believes. Uzzie, thank you.”

Published on Nov 09, 2026

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