Last Updated on 20 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
David Warner has released a statement saying Usman Khawaja’s claims on the sandpaper scandal of 2018 are “100 per cent accurate”. In an Instagram post, Warner said some wounds haven’t fully healed and praised Khawaja for speaking out.
“Some things are bigger than cricket,” Warner wrote on Instagram.
“This isn’t about reopening old wounds. It’s about acknowledging that some wounds never properly healed. I stand with my brother Usman Khawaja.
“Speaking your truth takes courage, especially when people would rather you stay silent. Time passing doesn’t replace accountability, and asking questions shouldn’t be mistaken for holding grudges.
“Respect, honesty and accountability. That’s all anyone can ask for.”
David Warner thanks Usman Khawaja for speaking out about the sandpaper ball-tampering scandal of 2018
Khawaja spoke of how Warner has been treated since sandpapergate. The then vice-captain was banned for 12 months along with Steve Smith (12 months) and Cameron Bancroft (nine months).
“It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us,” Khawaja said.
“I’ve seen Davey [Warner] over the last eight years just get nailed bad over and over again, and it’s taken a big man not to say anything and just to stay quiet. And he’s just copped it and he’s copped it and he’s copped it.
“I’m not doing this for any other reason than I think it’s the right thing to do. I’ve always felt like there’s more to life than just cricket, and these guys, in some respect, deserve that justice.
“And it just doesn’t feel like anyone’s going to give it to them. None of those three want to be the first to say anything. And rightly so, it will just be hearsay and ‘their word’ if they do. They needed someone else to say something.”
Warner also posted a video on Instagram thanking Khawaja, and says his comments are accurate. The former Australia opener believes “everyone knows the truth” and reveals what he has told his family.
“Uzi, I throw my full support behind you. I thank you for what you’ve done. It’s 100 per cent accurate what you’ve said,” Warner said.
“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.
“Now, there was a lot of statements and inaccuracies over the last eight years. They were out in the media by people, and there was a lot of people who stayed silent.
“The last couple of days, I’ve had to be, I’ve had been talking to my daughters, and that’s why it’s taken me a couple of days to get this out because I’ve had to tell them exactly what had happened, especially my 12-year-old Ivy, wanting to know why we’re holding her, why there were so many cameras, why we were crying on TV.
“That was a hard thing to do, but one thing I did say is, girls, tell the truth, because lies will eventually get out.”
Warner also pinpointed how Khawaja was not interviewed as part of Cricket Australia’s (CA) investigation. Khawaja said he sat next to Bancroft in the Newlands changeroom and yet was not approached by CA.
“Now, this whole interview process was rushed and botched. Uzzi was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft. Uzzi was not interviewed. How is that 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 scrutinsing the person, asking for accountability, and start asking those responsible for the investigation to provide it.”
