Cricket Australia will not reopen an investigation into the infamous 2018 Sandpapergate controversy, according to chief executive Todd Greenberg, in the wake of Usman Khawaja's claims that the entire Australian Test team knew it was happening.
Khawaja's book, Sabr, will be released today, but previews in the past week have revealed the former Australian batter's claims the ball-tampering saga, which led to the suspensions of captain Steve Smith and openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
In his book, Khawaja says the team started using sandpaper on the ball in the Test prior to the match in Cape Town, where Bancroft was caught on camera tampering with the ball.
Speaking on radio station SEN, Greenberg said he respected Khawaja's right to tell his side of the story, but said his claims contradict the recollections of others in that 2018 team and CA would not be launching another investigation.
“There are specific details in his book that contradict the versions that have been provided by others,” Greenberg said.
“It's important to know that back at that time, players were urged to come forward, and they had the opportunity to do so over these past eight years, and that remains the case.
“We have said we're comfortable with the outcome of the investigation based on the information we've received.
“That includes what we've seen from Usman, and our position hasn't changed on that.
“We don't see any compelling reason to open the investigation or revisit this again. I don't think there's anything that can be gained from that.”
CA's 2018 investigation determined only Smith, Warner and Bancroft knew of the ball-tampering ploy, suspending the trio while clearing all others of wrong doing.
Warner, who was vice-captain at the time of Sandpapergate, on Monday backed-up Khawaja's version of events and said the 2018 investigation by CA was “botched”.
“Uzzie, I throw my full support behind you. I thank you for everything you've done,” he said in an Instagram statement.
“It's 100 per cent accurate, what you've said.
“Now everyone knows the truth, it's out there. People wanted to know it, you've come out and said it, and now people are saying, 'Why eight years on?' talking about selling a book.
“This is Usman's story. This is what Usman believes. Uzzie wrote down every single thing from that day on. Uzzie, thank you.”
Warner slammed Cricket Australia's investigation into the incident in the wake of the 2018 tour of South Africa. Khawaja was not interviewed as a part of the probe.
“Now, this whole interview process was rushed and botched,” he said.
“Uzzie was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft [in the dressing room]. Uzzie was not interviewed. How that is 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, and perhaps it's time people stop scrutinising the person asking for accountability, and asking those responsible for the investigation to provide it.
“There [were] a lot of statements and inaccuracies over the last eight years that were out in the media by people and there were a lot of people who stayed silent.”
Warner is the first of the banned trio to speak publicly in the wake of Khawaja's comments being made public.
Khawaja has also claimed that ball-tampering was commonplace in Sheffield Shield during his career, specifically highlighting Victoria as the state that was best at the “dark arts”.
