David Warner has accused Cricket Australia of a cover-up in the 2018 sandpapergate scandal, claiming the governing body did not interview bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc or Nathan Lyon as part of its investigation into the Cape Town Test ball-tampering incident.
The former opener made the allegation in an Instagram post on Saturday afternoon, a day after he accused Test captain Pat Cummins of throwing Usman Khawaja "under the bus" following the release of the memoir Sabr.
"As far as I am aware, CA did not interview Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc or Nathan Lyon in their 2018 investigation," Warner wrote. "If that's correct, then how can CA push the idea that the bowlers didn't know?"
The 2018 scandal in Cape Town saw Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft sanctioned by Cricket Australia after a plan to tamper with the ball using sandpaper was uncovered. Warner was banned from international cricket for a year and from leadership roles for life.
Warner's post continued: "It looks like they had decided who they wanted to blame from the very beginning, ran a shoddy investigation to serve the purpose and now they want to maintain the false narrative that the bowlers had no idea. That stinks of a cover up."
This masthead has contacted representatives of Hazlewood, Starc, Lyon and Cricket Australia for comment.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The claim reignites one of the most damaging scandals in Australian cricket history and directly challenges CA's official account that only Warner, Smith and Bancroft knew of the plan.
- If the bowlers were not interviewed, it raises questions about the thoroughness of the investigation and whether the sanctions were fairly applied.
- The accusation could put pressure on Cricket Australia to release full details of its 2018 inquiry or face renewed public debate over its handling of the affair.
Background
Sandpapergate erupted in March 2018 during the third Test between Australia and South Africa in Cape Town. Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera using sandpaper to rough the ball. Subsequent investigations by Cricket Australia led to one-year bans for Warner and Smith and a nine-month ban for Bancroft, with Warner also barred from leadership roles for life. The incident triggered widespread condemnation of Australian cricket's culture and led to a major overhaul of the national team's leadership and approach. Warner's latest claim is his most direct challenge to the official narrative since the scandal.
Key Perspectives
David Warner: claims CA did not interview bowlers Hazlewood, Starc or Lyon in its 2018 investigation, calling the probe "shoddy" and a cover-up to blame him and Smith while protecting the bowlers.
What to Watch
- Cricket Australia's response to Warner's claim, particularly whether it confirms or denies that the bowlers were interviewed.
- Statements from Hazlewood, Starc or Lyon, who have so far not commented publicly on the post.
- Whether Warner's renewed allegations lead to any formal review or release of investigative documents by CA.
Checked
10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedWarner accused Cricket Australia of a cover-up in the sandpapergate scandal.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “David Warner has accused Cricket Australia of a cover-up of the sandpapergate scandal.”
- SupportedWarner said he was unaware that Hazlewood, Starc or Lyon had been interviewed in CA’s investigation.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““As far as I am aware, CA did not interview Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc or Nathan Lyon in their 2018 investigation,” Warner posted to Instagram.”
- SupportedWarner said it looked as if CA had decided from the beginning who to blame.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““It looks like they had decided who they wanted to blame from the very beginning ran a shoddy investigation to serve the purpose and now they want to maintain the false narrative that the bowlers had no idea. That stinks of a cover up.””
- SupportedWarner described CA’s investigation as “shoddy”.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““It looks like they had decided who they wanted to blame from the very beginning ran a shoddy investigation to serve the purpose and now they want to maintain the false narrative that the bowlers had no idea. That stinks of a cover up.””
- SupportedWarner made the allegation in an Instagram post on Saturday afternoon.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Warner made the claim early on Saturday afternoon, a day after he accused Test captain Pat Cummins of throwing Usman Khawaja under the bus after the release of his memoir, Sabr .”
- SupportedWarner made the allegation a day after accusing Cummins of throwing Khawaja “under the bus” following the release of Sabr.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Warner made the claim early on Saturday afternoon, a day after he accused Test captain Pat Cummins of throwing Usman Khawaja under the bus after the release of his memoir, Sabr .”
- Not in the sourcesWarner, Smith and Bancroft were sanctioned by Cricket Australia after the ball-tampering plan was uncovered.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “the Cape Town Test of 2018.”
- Not in the sourcesThe plan involved tampering with the ball using sandpaper.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “David Warner has accused Cricket Australia of a cover-up of the sandpapergate scandal.”
- Not in the sourcesWarner was banned from international cricket for a year and from leadership roles for life.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “David Warner has accused Cricket Australia of a cover-up of the sandpapergate scandal.”
- SupportedThe masthead contacted representatives of Hazlewood, Starc, Lyon and Cricket Australia for comment.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “This masthead has reached out to representatives of Hazlewood, Starc, Lyon and Cricket Australia for comment.”