Warner claims 2018 ball-tampering probe was a cover-up
- Warner alleges that bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon were not interviewed.
- Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg says there are no grounds to reopen the investigation.
- Pat Cummins has denied being an architect of the ball-tampering scheme.
- Penguin has postponed a book-signing event for Usman Khawaja following the controversy.
David Warner publicly said the 2018 ball‑tampering investigation "stinks of a cover‑up". Warner described the original inquiry as a "shoddy investigation" and stated that the entire situation "stinks".
Warner's fresh claims have added to the tension surrounding how officials handled the 2018 investigation.
Warner claims bowlers were not interviewed
Warner accused Cricket Australia of failing to interview Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon during the 2018 investigation. He alleged on Instagram that these key bowlers were excluded from the inquiry into the Newlands scandal.
Warner stated the sandpapergate investigation "stinks of a cover-up" while noting that he, Steve Smith, and Bancroft were the only ones issued bans.
Cricket Australia rejects calls to reopen investigation
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said there are no grounds to reopen or launch a new investigation because the original transcripts remain consistent.
The spokesperson did not confirm whether the three bowlers were interviewed.
Pat Cummins denies involvement in tampering scheme
Pat Cummins denied being an architect of the ball-tampering scheme during a 68-minute press conference on Friday. He labeled allegations made in the book by Usman Khawaja as "complete and utter nonsense".
Cummins stated he was unaware that sandpaper was being taken onto the field in 2018. He expressed shock at the claim that he had instructed Cameron Bancroft to be careful when using the sandpaper.
Cummins further described the claim that Bancroft used sandpaper on the ball after umpires left it near the boundary as a "revelation" that he was previously unaware of.
Warner supports Khawaja amid rising team tensions
David Warner expressed public support for the book written by Usman Khawaja while speaking at the first ODI in Perth. Warner claimed that Cummins had "threw Uzzy under the bus" during his press conference.
These recent claims have caused significant tension regarding Cricket Australia and the bowlers involved in the 2018 incident.
Bowlers maintain stance as team reacts to controversy
Mitchell Starc maintains his support for a 2021 joint statement signed by frontline bowlers. That statement asserted they were unaware of foreign objects being brought onto the field at Newlands.
Marnus Labuschagne, who was not part of the 2018 South Africa tour squad, stated that it is "not nice" to witness the current state of the game.
Penguin postpones book event as Smith prepares to return
Publisher Penguin postponed a book-signing event for Khawaja that was scheduled to take place in Merrylands on Saturday.
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