Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Cricket Australia says it’s “comfortable” with its investigation of the infamous sandpaper scandal.
The events of Cape Town in 2018 have reared their ugly head again after the release of Usman Khawaja’s memoir, Sabr, on Tuesday.
Khawaja claimed the ball tampering had been discussed prior to the Newlands Test in South Africa and Australian domestic cricket had been riddled with cheating prior.
David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft were suspended for the incident following Cricket Australia’s quick investigation.
Warner supported Khawaja on social media on Monday night, calling the investigation “botched”.
There have been calls for Cricket Australia to reopen its probe following Khawaja’s suggestion that the entire squad was at fault.
But CA chief executive Todd Greenberg told SEN there was “absolutely no benefit in going back”.
“I think it’s time we’ve got to look ahead and the matter was dealt with under a previous leadership back in 2018,” Greenberg said.
“You know, trying to second guess decisions of a previous time or making an assessment through the prism of hindsight is not something we want to do.
“One thing I’ve genuinely learnt over my time working in professional sport is that the past can’t be fairly judged by the events of today – believing you can do that will ultimately wrap you up in knots.”
Khawaja almost simultaneously released a video on his Instagram defending himself from speculation that he opened old wounds for financial gain.
“So it’s book release day, but I am going to clear something up here,” Khawaja began.
“People have been trying to find a way to move and shift the narrative from the truth, to attacking me and my intention. Cool. Let’s chat about it.
“Lots of people are saying I used sandpaper for my book sales or work to deal with Penguin – that is 100 per cent false.
“I did not negotiate a thing with Penguin when it came to sandpaper or any other topics of my life. We didn’t even talk about it.
“So, here are the facts: I signed with them in 2023 and all they said to me was, ‘Tell your story’.
“And that I had total control of everything that went in and everything that went out. It was all on me.
“Just over two years later I handed them my final draft, this was the first time I shown any of them my book.
“Penguin were shocked, my manager was shocked, because I kept this from them – neither of them knew anything about this.”
Khawaja continued, insisting he would have been paid the same for telling a bland recollection of his career.
“How could I have orchestrated this massive book deal (using finger quotations) all the way in the 2023 if both my manager and my publisher didn’t know anything about this until six months ago?” Khawaja added.
“I could’ve written, blah, blah, blah, blah, throughout the whole book and I’d be paid the same.
“Oh, and before you even start to think about royalties and book sales, all this other jabber, I have to sell so many books for royalties to even click in.
“I don’t reckon I will even get there and even if it does, it’s pennies. Anyone who has written a book will tell you the same.
“With all due respect, guys, I’ve played cricket for a long time. I’m very fortunate, I don’t need the money. This has never been about commercial gain.
“Whatever you want to feel, that’s up to you, but these are the facts.”
Khawaja finished his monologue with a cheeky return to former teammate Nic Maddinson.
Maddinson, speaking on Monday, said: “It’s obviously a bit disappointing it keeps coming up but it’s that time of year, isn’t it? Where Christmas comes along and people have books to sell.”
Khawaja replied: “Oh, yeah, and just in case you forgot, the book does come out today and apparently it’s a great Christmas gift, so go out and get one”.
