"We weren’t aware": Starc denies knowledge of prior sandpaper use

Mitchell Starc has stuck to his recollection of events during Sandpapergate despite Usman Khawaja's autobiography claiming that the entire team was aware of plans.

Following Cam Bancroft's interview with The Guardian in 2021, Starc, alongside fellow bowlers Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, released a joint statement stating they were not aware of the use of sandpaper on the ball.

Speaking at a Kayo Sports and Fox Cricket season launch event, the left-arm quick remained steadfast with his previous account.

“Yeah, that’s the first I was aware of any of that taking place in PE (second Test) was when (Khawaja said it) … I’ll leave that for said authors to explain,” Starc said.

“I haven’t really paid much attention to be fair, obviously there’s differing opinions of eight years ago. We were heavily drilled through the process at the time, and since and I guess I won’t speak on behalf of the bowlers, but where I stand, my opinion hasn’t changed. My recollection hasn’t changed from what we said in 2021.

“As far as our statement said, we weren’t aware of things being taken on the field, that’s where I’ll leave it.”

"Don't need the money": Khawaja takes aim at critics

Usman Khawaja has hit out at his critics and those accusing him of using sandpapergate for financial gain as the cricket world braces for more bombshells from his memoir.

For the third time in as many days the former Australian batsman has taken to Instagram to deliver what he claims are the facts around the ball tampering scandal which rocked cricket eight years ago and insists that neither his manager or publisher knew how much he would expose in his book.

As revealed within Khawaja's autobiography, the third Test against South Africa in 2018 wasn't the only match in which the Aussies tampered with the ball - also admitting to use of sandpaper in the second Test.

Incredibly, Khawaja revealed that every player within the Test setup knew of the plan.

This, of course, goes wildly against public knowledge, with a number of players within the 2018 team staunchly denying any knowledge of the incident for years following.

One excerpt from Khawaja's book claims that the opener urged the entire team to take collective responsibility rather than allowing captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and supposed scapegoat Cameron Bancroft to take all the heat.

"Alright, so it's book release day, but I'm gonna clear something up here," Khawaja told his 800,000 followers.

"People have been trying to find a way to move and shift the narrative from the truth to attacking me and my intentions, so cool, let's chat about it.

"Now, lots of people are saying that I use sandpaper for my book sales or work to deal with Penguin.

"That is 100% false.

"I did not negotiate a thing with Penguin when it came to sandpaper or any other topics in my life.

"We didn't even talk about it.

"So, here are the facts.

"I signed with them in 2023, and all they said to me was tell your story and that I had total control of everything that went in and everything that went out.

"It was all on me.

"So just over two years later, I handed them my final draught.

"This was the first time I've shown any of them my book.

"Penguin was shocked.

"My manager was shocked because I kept this from them.

"Neither of them knew anything about this.

"So how could I have orchestrated this massive book deal all the way in 2023 if both my manager and my publisher didn't know anything about this till six months ago.

"I could have written blah blah blah blah blah throughout the whole book and I'd be paid the same.

"Oh, and before you even start to think about royalties and book sales and all this other jabber, I have to sell so many books for royalties to even click in, I don't reckon I will ever get there.

"And even if it does, it's pennies.

"Anyone who's written a book will tell you the same.

"With all due respect, guys, I've played cricket for a long time.

"I'm very fortunate.

"I don't need the money.

"This has never been about commercial gain.

"So whatever you wanna feel, that's up to you.

"But these are the facts."

Warner backs Khawaja amid sandpaper bombshell

Former Test opener David Warner has fully backed Usman Khawaja's version of events surrounding the infamous 'Sandpapergate' incident in 2018.

In a video on his personal Instagram account, the former opener thanked Khawaja for finally revealing the full events of what took place in Cape Town back in 2018.

“It's been eight years since I've spoken on this topic,” he said.

“And Uzzie, 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. It's out there.”