Khawaja 100% accurate on ball-tampering - Warner

Usman Khawaja is "100% accurate" in his recounting of the Australia ball-tampering scandal in 2018, says former team-mate David Warner.

Ex-opener Warner also said Cricket Australia's investigation process following the incident was "rushed and botched".

Australia were found to have used sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Warner and captain Steve Smith were banned for a year and fellow batter Cameron Bancroft for nine months.

Khawaja last week said the entire Australia team knew about the use of sandpaper, despite consistent denials from the bowlers that they had knowledge of the plan.

Warner, who retired from international cricket in 2024, said in a video statement on Instagram:, external "It's been eight years since I spoke on this topic. And Ussie, I throw my full support behind you.

"I thank you for what you've done. It's 100% accurate what you've said. Now everyone knows the truth."

Former batter Khawaja has said he was shocked not to be asked to provide evidence during Cricket Australia's investigation.

"In an ideal world, I don't want to do this. I don't want to be the one who comes out and talks about the truth," he wrote.

"The issue is that I genuinely thought after eight years the truth would have been out by now."

In response, Warner said: "This is Usman's story. This is what Usman believes. Ussie wrote down every single thing from that day on.

"This whole interview process was rushed and botched. Ussie was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft. Ussie was not interviewed.

"How is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me. 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.

"Perhaps it's time people stop scrutinising the person asking for accountability and start asking those responsible for the investigation to provide it."

While Smith, Warner and Bancroft - all batters - were punished, there was never an explanation of how bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon did not notice a change in the state of the ball.

Cummins has been Test captain since 2021 and all four players remain fixtures in the Australia red-ball side.

The quartet released a joint statement in 2021 which said they "did not know a foreign substance was taken on to the field".

Warner said in his video that there were "a lot of statements and inaccuracies over the last eight years that were out in the media by people. And there was a lot of people who stayed silent."

The 40-year-old, who scored 8,786 runs in 112 Tests, said he delayed his reponse to Khawaja's comments so he could explain the incident to his daughters.

"I had to tell them exactly what had happened," said Warner. "My 12-year-old, Ivy, wanted to know why we were holding her, why there were so many cameras, why we were all crying on TV. That was a hard thing to do.

"But one thing I did say is, 'Girls, tell the truth, because lies will eventually get out'.

"It's a very tough time. This is for everyone in Australia. It's been the question everyone's been asking.

"It's been a tough time for my family, Steven and Cameron, no doubt. But this is what needed to come out. I fully support that, Ussie."

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What has Cricket Australia said?

Cricket Australia has not said it will re-open the investigation into the events at Newlands in 2018.

A statement issued after Khawaja's allegations were published read: "There has been a great deal of speculation in the eight years since the 2018 Cape Town Test, including extensive media coverage throughout last month's series in South Africa.

"During this time there has been the ongoing opportunity to present any relevant information, and this remains the case.

"All relevant information presented to CA to date has been properly considered and we remain comfortable with the findings of our integrity process."

Australia play England in three one-day internationals and five T20s starting on Friday, and begin a four-Test series at home to New Zealand on 9 December.

Experienced batter Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped for the Tests.

The 32-year-old, once the world's top-ranked Test batter, has gone 49 innings without a century and averaged only 21.83 in the recent 2-1 series loss in South Africa.