Former Australia vice-captain David Warner has backed Usman Khawaja’s claims of the infamous 2018 ball-tampering controversy, terming his former teammate’s revelations as “100 per cent accurate”. Khawaja, in his upcoming book Sabr, which will soon be released, has made shocking revelations about what happened during Australia’s tour of South Africa in 2018. Khawaja alleged that everyone had the knowledge of using sandpaper to change the condition of the ball.

The scandal unfolded during the Cape Town Test against South Africa in March 2018, when Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera attempting to tamper with the ball using a piece of sandpaper. The footage triggered an investigation by Cricket Australia. Following the investigation, Warner, Bancroft and then-captain Steve Smith were handed punishments. Smith and Warner received 12-month suspensions, while Bancroft was banned for nine months. 

“It's been eight years since I've spoken on this topic, and Uzzy, I throw my full support behind you. I thank you for what you've done. It's 100% accurate what you've said. Now everyone knows the truth, it's out there. People wanted to know it, you've come out and said it, and now people are saying why eight years on, talking about selling a book. This is Usman's story; this is what Usman believes. Uzzy wrote down every single thing from that day on. Uzzy, thank you,” Warner said in a video statement on Instagram.

Warner also slammed CA’s investigation, questioning Australia’s handling of the entire event.

“Now, this whole interview process was rushed and botched. Uzzy was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft. Uzzy was not interviewed. How is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me,” he added. 

“We're not here to point fingers and we're not opening our wounds. It's about accountability, transparency, ensuring that the truth is properly examined and perhaps it's time people stop scrutinising the person, asking for accountability and start asking those responsible for the investigation to provide it,” Warner said. 

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia, recently issuing an statement, stood by its investigation and maintained that its conclusions were satisfactory.