David Warner Accuses Cricket Australia of Cover-Up Over 2018 Ball-Tampering Scandal

Posted : 14 November 2026

Former Australia vice-captain David Warner has accused Cricket Australia (CA) of a possible cover-up over the investigation into the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

Warner questioned the credibility of the governing body's investigation after claiming that Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were not interviewed during the inquiry. His latest comments have intensified the controversy surrounding the incident, which damaged Australian cricket's reputation eight years ago.

The scandal occurred during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town in March 2018. Television cameras caught Australian opener Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball in an attempt to generate reverse swing.

An investigation by Cricket Australia resulted in lengthy suspensions for Warner, then captain Steve Smith and Bancroft. Warner and Smith received 12-month bans, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months.

The controversy has resurfaced following revelations by former Australia batter Usman Khawaja in his autobiography, Sabr. Khawaja claimed that knowledge of the ball-tampering plan extended beyond the three players who were punished.

Warner has publicly supported his childhood friend, describing Khawaja's account as accurate and criticising the original investigation for failing to interview him. He has now raised further questions about whether the Australian bowling attack was properly questioned.

"As far as I am aware, CA did not interview Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc or Nathan Lyon in their 2018 investigation," Warner said.

He questioned how Cricket Australia could maintain that the bowlers knew nothing about the plan if they were not interviewed.

"If that's correct, then how can CA push the idea that the bowlers didn't know?" he added.

Warner further accused the governing body of deciding who would take responsibility before conducting what he described as an inadequate investigation.

"That stinks of a cover-up," he said.

The allegations have placed Australia's leading fast bowlers back under scrutiny. However, Pat Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc and Lyon have consistently maintained that they had no knowledge of the plan to use sandpaper during the Cape Town Test.

Cummins, who became Australia's Test captain in 2021, previously confirmed that he was interviewed during the investigation. He also strongly rejected Khawaja's suggestion that the entire team knew about the scheme, describing the allegation as completely false.

Cricket Australia has defended its handling of the investigation. In response to Warner's latest comments, the governing body said all players had been given opportunities to provide information during the original inquiry and could still present new evidence.

CA also maintained that it respected the right of current and former players to share their individual accounts of what happened.

The controversy follows an earlier decision by Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg not to reopen the investigation. Greenberg said the governing body remained satisfied with its original findings and saw no compelling reason to launch another inquiry.

Warner retired from international cricket in 2024 after representing Australia in 112 Test matches. Smith, meanwhile, continues to feature in Australian cricket, while Bancroft has also continued his professional career.

With conflicting accounts emerging from former teammates, the renewed debate has raised questions about accountability, transparency and the extent of knowledge surrounding one of Australian cricket's biggest controversies.

David Warner Accuses Cricket Australia of Cover-Up Over 2018 Ball-Tampering Scandal

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