‘100% Accurate’: Warner Backs Khawaja’s Sandpapergate Bombshell and Questions Cricket Australia’s Probe

Eight years of silence are over. David Warner has thrown his full weight behind Usman Khawaja’s explosive Sandpapergate claims, calling them ‘100 per cent accurate’ and hitting out at how Cricket Australia handled its 2018 investigation. The fallout is reopening one of cricket’s most infamous chapters.

Warner Breaks His Silence

Warner, Australia’s vice-captain during the 2018 tour of South Africa, shared his response in an Instagram video. He thanked Khawaja, a former Australian opener and childhood friend, for bringing his account to light.

Khawaja’s claims come from his upcoming autobiography, Sabr. He alleges the entire Australian dressing room knew about the ball-tampering plan in South Africa. That contradicts Cricket Australia’s original findings, which held that only Steve Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft had prior knowledge.

Warner received a 12-month suspension for his role, so his backing carries real weight.

‘Uzzie, I throw my full support behind you. I thank you for everything you’ve done. It’s 100 per cent accurate, what you’ve said.’

Timing Criticism Dismissed

Some have asked why Khawaja is speaking up now, and whether the timing is linked to his book release. Warner brushed that aside.

He said this is Khawaja’s personal story to tell and that Khawaja documented events from the very start.

‘This is Usman’s story. This is what Usman believes. Uzzie wrote down every single thing from that day on.’

‘Rushed and Botched’: Warner Targets the Investigation

The sharpest part of Warner’s message was aimed at Cricket Australia’s process. He questioned why Khawaja was never interviewed, even though he was sitting next to Bancroft in the dressing room.

A Call for Accountability

Warner said the interview process was hurried and flawed, and he wondered how it could be called thorough.

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

He stressed he was not looking to reopen old wounds or point fingers. His focus, he said, was on transparency and making sure the truth is properly examined.

He also argued that scrutiny should shift from the person asking for accountability to those responsible for the investigation.

The Toll on Warner’s Family

Warner revealed the controversy also forced difficult conversations at home. He spent the previous few days explaining to his daughters what happened in South Africa, which is why his response took a little while to arrive.

‘It was a hard thing to do, but one thing I did say is, ‘Girls, tell the truth because lies will eventually get out’.’

He added that the episode was hard on his family, as well as on Smith and Bancroft. Even so, he believed Khawaja’s revelations needed to come out.

Warner also pointed to inaccurate statements made over the years and to the many people who stayed silent.

Chadd Sayers Adds His Voice

Warner is not alone. Former Australia fast bowler Chadd Sayers, part of the touring squad in 2018, also backed the claims in Sabr. He had a question of his own, though.

‘Everything Usman says in his article is accurate, but if he felt so strongly about it, why didn’t he say something at the time?’

Sayers made his Test debut in the fourth and final match in Johannesburg. He replaced the injured Mitchell Starc after the controversial Cape Town Test.

Sandpapergate at a Glance

What Comes Next?

The debate is now squarely about accountability. Khawaja says the knowledge went far beyond three players. Warner says the investigation never gave the full picture a proper hearing.

With two former Australia players now publicly backing the account in Sabr, the pressure is on for clearer answers about what really happened in South Africa. Eight years on, Sandpapergate refuses to stay buried.