Cricket Australia refuses to reopen Sandpapergate investigation after Khawaja revelations

Cricket Australia has ruled out reopening its investigation into the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal, despite fresh revelations from former Australia batter Usman Khawaja.

The controversy has returned to the spotlight following claims in Khawaja's new autobiography, Sabr, that the entire Australian dressing room knew about plans to tamper with the ball during the tour of South Africa. The incident became known as 'Sandpapergate' after Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera using sandpaper to alter the ball's condition during the Cape Town Test.

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg confirmed that the organisation has no intention of launching another inquiry. He said Khawaja's version of events contradicts accounts provided by other members of the team and insisted that the governing body remains satisfied with the original investigation.

"We don't see any compelling reason to open the investigation or revisit this again," Greenberg said.

The original investigation resulted in suspensions for Steve Smith, David Warner and Bancroft. Smith and Warner received 12-month bans, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months.

Warner has since publicly backed Khawaja's claims, describing his account as "100 per cent accurate" and criticising the original investigation as rushed and flawed. He also pointed out that Khawaja, who was reportedly sitting next to Bancroft at the time, was not interviewed during the inquiry.

However, Australia's bowlers who featured in the Cape Town Test, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, previously denied having prior knowledge of the plan. Greenberg expects their position to remain unchanged.

The renewed debate comes eight years after the scandal, with several members of the 2018 team still facing questions about what they knew.