David Warner claims 2018 ball-tampering investigation 'stinks of a cover-up'
David Warner has escalated his criticism of Cricket Australia's handling of the Newlands scandal, alleging that key bowlers were excluded from the initial investigation.
3 Min Read
The 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal has reignited with fresh accusations about how Cricket Australia conducted its investigation. David Warner has now alleged that the inquiry was fundamentally flawed, designed to reach predetermined conclusions about who bore responsibility for the sandpaper incident at Cape Town. On Saturday afternoon, Warner posted on Instagram that Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were not interviewed during the immediate investigation into the incident.
The controversy has intensified following the release of Usman Khawaja's autobiography, which has reopened debate about the extent of knowledge within the Australian dressing room during the March 2018 Test match against South Africa. Warner's latest allegation adds another layer to the ongoing saga that threatens to divide the 2018 generation of Australian cricketers.
"As far as I am aware, CA did not interview Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc or Nathan Lyon in their 2018 investigation. If that's correct, then how can CA push the idea that the bowlers didn't know?," wrote Warner on Instagram.
"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," he added.
What did Warner claim about the investigation?
Cricket Australia's response did not directly address whether the three bowlers had been interviewed. A spokesperson for the organisation stated that all players were given the opportunity to speak at the time of the initial investigation and have had the ability to come forward with new evidence in the eight years since.
As we have stated previously, all players were given the opportunity to speak at the time of the initial investigation and have had the ability to come forward with new evidence in the eight years since.
the CA spokesperson said. Todd Greenberg, Cricket Australia's chief executive, has indicated that the organisation does not see grounds for reopening or launching a fresh investigation. Cummins relayed this position from a conversation with Greenberg, stating that the CEO had revisited all transcripts and found them to be consistent, with nothing warranting a reopening.
How has Cricket Australia responded?
Pat Cummins held a 68-minute press conference on Friday to address the allegations. The Australian captain has consistently maintained that he did not know sandpaper was being used on the ball during the Newlands Test.
"I've said that consistently for the last eight years. I did not know that was happening," Cummins said.
He also rejected Khawaja's broader claims about the scope of knowledge within the squad.
"But I think Usman actually says things that are actually far more serious than that. He says that I and others were architects of a scheme to ball tamper with sandpaper. That's complete and utter nonsense," Cummins added.
What did Cummins say about the allegations?
Cummins expressed surprise at revelations in Khawaja's book regarding Cameron Bancroft's actions. The captain stated that he was genuinely shocked this week when he found out that Khawaja admitted telling Bancroft to be careful when using sandpaper.
"I was genuinely shocked this week when I found out that Usman admitted that he told Cam to be careful when using sandpaper," Cummins said.
"That was news to me this week. I had no idea. You know, even chatting with a couple of the guys, that was a revelation to us. That was one of the things that really surprised me because that isn't happening anymore. The umpires give the ball out to you in the middle," Cummins added.
Warner defended Khawaja's account during ODI coverage on Saturday. He expressed strong support for his former teammate and criticism of Cummins' public response.
"Pat Cummins was very well prepared this morning. I still stick by Uzzy and what he's written in that book. It's the truth, and I really support him. I actually feel for him at the moment. I actually feel that the captain today actually threw Uzzy under the bus, and I'm very very disappointed about that," Warner said.
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