Cricket Australia refuses to reopen 2018 investigation despite claims in Khawaja's book Sabr
AI-generated summary
Usman Khawaja's book Sabr was released on Tuesday and contains a chapter titled Sandpaper about Australia's 2018 tour of South Africa, where Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were suspended for ball-tampering. Khawaja appeared on ABC's 7.30 and dodged questions about the chapter. Cricket Australia is refusing to reopen its investigation into the 2018 incident.
In short:
Usman Khawaja's publisher Penguin has confirmed that "adjustments" have been made to his book tour.
Khawaja will continue to do interviews regarding his new book, Sabr, despite reports suggesting he had cancelled his book tour altogether.
Cricket Australia is refusing to reopen its investigation into the 2018 ball-tampering incident despite the claims made in Khawaja's book.
Usman Khawaja's publisher Penguin has confirmed that "adjustments" have been made to his book tour following a fiery TV interview.
Khawaja's book, Sabr, released on Tuesday, contains an entire chapter titled "Sandpaper" dedicated to Australia's infamous 2018 tour of South Africa, which resulted in Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being suspended for ball-tampering.
The 37-year-old appeared uncomfortable during an appearance on the ABC's 7.30 on Tuesday night, when he dodged questions from host Sarah Ferguson about the aforementioned chapter.
In a written statement to ABC Sport, Penguin pushed back on reports suggesting Khawaja's book tour had been cancelled altogether.
"The book tour is 100 [per cent] still going ahead, we've just had to make some adjustments this week but no major cancellation of the tour at all," the statement read.
Penguin also confirmed Khawaja will be doing further interviews regarding his new book.
In the 7.30 interview, Khawaja was adamant that he did not want a "witch-hunt" to take place as a result of his claim that the entire Australian team was aware of the plan to tamper with the ball against South Africa.
Khawaja's account has been backed by Warner, who described it as being "100 per cent true" in his own statement on Monday night.
Bancroft refused to speak in depth on Khawaja's claims in a short interview with reporters as he arrived at Melbourne Airport prior to a Sheffield Shield clash between Western Australia and Victoria at the MCG this week, while Smith is yet to speak publicly regarding the new book.
Australian paceman Mitchell Starc denied suggestions the bowlers were in on the sandpaper ploy in a media appearance on Tuesday afternoon.
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Khawaja will continue with adjusted book tour interviews
Very likely · Within days
Usman Khawaja's book has reignited debate over Australia's 2018 ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town, where Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith faced massive bans. The article examines the science of reverse swing, historical precedents including Faf du Plessis's incidents, and why Australia's brazen tampering drew such an extreme reaction.
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