Warner backs Khawaja on 2018 ball-tampering, questions Cricket Australia's inquiry

Former Australia opener David Warner has openly backed Usman Khawaja's statement, as the 2018 ball-tampering case returns to the spotlight eight years later. Warner also questioned the credibility of the inquiry into the matter and criticised Cricket Australia's investigation process.

Warner supported Khawaja's stand in a video posted on social media. "Some things are bigger than cricket," he said. "This is not about reopening old wounds, but about accepting that those wounds never healed fully. I stand firmly with my brother Usman Khawaja."

Warner also said it takes courage to speak the truth, especially when people are telling you to stay quiet, and that speaking up at such a time matters. According to him, the passage of time does not end accountability, and asking questions is not personal enmity towards anyone.

Khawaja has now spoken on the matter after eight years. Warner said those who investigated should be asked for answers, rather than Khawaja's statement being criticised. "What Khawaja has said is 100 per cent true," he said. "He has kept a record of everything that happened from that day. Thank you to him for telling his story."

Warner raised serious questions about the investigation process. He claimed there were flaws in the interview process involving Usman Khawaja and Cameron Bancroft. Khawaja was present beside Bancroft, yet he was not officially interviewed. Warner asked how the entire inquiry could be accepted in that case.

According to him, the investigation should be transparent and should fix responsibility. Instead of repeatedly questioning one individual, it is time to seek answers from those responsible for the inquiry.

Warner said the matter has also affected his family. After Khawaja's new statement, it became difficult to explain the events of 2018 to his daughters. He said his 12-year-old daughter asked what had actually happened on the field at the time, why there were so many cameras there and why the players were crying on television. Warner said he advised his daughters: "Daughters, always tell the truth. Because a lie always comes out sooner or later."

The ball-tampering case emerged in 2018 during the Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town. The names of then captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and batter Cameron Bancroft came up in it. It had emerged that sandpaper was used to change the condition of the ball.

Warner, Smith and Bancroft were suspended after the incident. Eight years on, Usman Khawaja has claimed that the entire team knew about the matter, bringing the old controversy back into discussion.