Mitchell Starc Responds to Usman Khawaja's Ball-Tampering Claims
Starc Addresses Khawaja's Comments
Mitchell Starc, the seasoned Australian fast bowler, has reacted to Usman Khawaja's recent statements regarding the 2018 ball-tampering incident. Starc mentioned that he has not focused much on the revelations and maintains that his memory aligns with the joint statement made by the Australian bowling group in 2021, which asserted they were unaware of any foreign object being used to manipulate the ball's condition.
Understanding the 'Sandpapergate' Scandal
The infamous 'Sandpapergate' scandal involved ball-tampering by the Australian team during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. As a result, then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner faced one-year bans from competitive cricket, while Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month suspension from both international and domestic cricket.
Khawaja's Autobiographical Insights
In anticipation of his autobiography 'Sabr', Khawaja alleged that the entire Australian squad, including players and support staff, was complicit in the ball-tampering incident during the South Africa tour. He emphasized that the blame should not rest solely on Smith, Warner, and Bancroft, as Cricket Australia's investigation suggested. Khawaja expressed his hope that the truth would surface over the years and aimed to ensure that the three players did not bear the burden of guilt alone.
Khawaja's book not only calls for shared accountability among the team but also claims that the use of sandpaper was not limited to the Cape Town Test; it was reportedly used during the second Test in Gqeberha as well.
Starc's Stance on Tampering Knowledge
During a media event on Tuesday, Starc addressed Khawaja's assertions, stating, "I haven't really paid much attention, to be fair." He acknowledged that opinions may differ from eight years ago but reiterated that his stance has not changed since their 2021 statement. Starc remarked, "I would not speak on behalf of the bowlers, but my recollection remains the same."
Regarding the ball-tampering incident mentioned by Khawaja, Starc noted, "That is the first I was aware of any of that taking place in PE (Port Elizabeth). I will leave that for the authors to explain. As our statement indicated, we were not aware of any actions being taken on the field; that is where I will leave it."