Michael Clarke calls for fresh probe into 2018 sandpaper scandal, says truth still not known

The 2018 sandpaper scandal has become a matter of controversy again. Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has demanded that the case be investigated afresh. Clarke said plainly: "We do not know exactly what the truth is. Until the inquiry is reopened and the whole truth comes out, this matter will not be laid to rest."

The debate has been triggered by a new book, 'Sabr', by former Australia opener Usman Khawaja. In it, Khawaja makes startling disclosures about the ball tampering in the 2018 Cape Town Test. He claims the entire Australian team knew about the incident, which has brought the old case back into discussion.

Speaking at an event, Clarke said, "Australian fans have still not been able to move on from this matter. They cannot trust the truth, because they do not know exactly what the truth is. Until the inquiry is reopened and the truth comes out, this matter will not end."

He added, "In 2018 there was a chance to bring out the truth, but it did not happen. In 2021, when Cameron Bancroft made some statements, there was a chance then too. Now there is once again a chance to bring out the truth. I want every person connected with it to get the chance to speak the truth, and for this matter to be settled for good."

An interview was held in 2021. Cameron Bancroft, who had been seen hiding the sandpaper while tampering with the ball, was asked whether Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon knew of the plan. He replied with words to the effect of "it is clear".

After Bancroft's statement, however, Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon issued a joint statement. They made clear that they had no knowledge of any unlawful foreign object being used to alter the condition of the ball.

Clarke said many questions in the case remain unanswered. "Right now I have more questions than answers," he said. "I want to know whether all the players knew about it. Some players have said they knew nothing. So did they really not know? This issue is important for the truth to come out. Did this happen in the first Test as well? Because I am hearing that the incident was not limited to Cape Town."

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg, speaking to the radio station 'SEN' on Tuesday, made clear that the case will not be investigated again. He said Cricket Australia is satisfied with the findings of the 2018 inquiry.

The ball-tampering case emerged in 2018 during a Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town. The then captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and batter Cameron Bancroft were named in it. The revelation that sandpaper had been used to alter the condition of the ball caused a major stir in the cricket world. Smith, Warner and Bancroft were subsequently suspended.

Eight years after the incident, Khawaja has claimed in his book 'Sabr' that the whole team knew about it. David Warner has backed Khawaja's statement, which has fuelled the controversy again.