Usman Khawaja evades ball tampering questions during 730 interview
12 November 2026
Retired Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has re-ignited controversy surrounding the infamous 2018 ball tampering scandal, with the recent publication of his memoir, Sabr.
Three members of the Australian men’s cricket team were sanctioned, after admitting to interfering with the ball during a game in the 2018 series against South Africa.
In his book, Khawaja claims all members of the Australian team were aware of what happened, rather than only Steve Smith, the captain, David Warner, and bowler Cameron Bancroft. The trio were later banned from playing for a time, as a result of their actions.
But Khawaja says the whole team should have been held responsible, rather than three. Several members of the squad have rebuked Khawaja’s contention everyone had knowledge of the plot.
Despite agreeing to appear on ABC current-affairs show, 730, hosted by Sarah Ferguson on Tuesday evening, Khawaja was coy — to say the least — in response to Ferguson’s questions about his knowledge of the incident. It makes me wonder what he expected by going on the show.
Khawaja could not have been unaware of Ferguson’s reputation for asking tough questions.
It may well be Khawaja’s allegations — being the whole test team was complicit — are correct, as Warner asserts, but Khawaja’s poor 730 showing does not leave him sounding convincing.
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