Mitchell Starc has rejected Usman Khawaja’s ball-tampering claim that every member of Australia’s team knew about the plan during the 2018 Test series against South Africa.
The fast bowler said his recollection remained unchanged from a 2021 statement in which he, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon denied knowing that sandpaper had been taken on to the field in Cape Town.
Khawaja’s allegations, published in his autobiography Sabr, were backed by former Australia team-mate David Warner on Monday evening. The claims have reignited scrutiny of the scandal ahead of Australia’s home Test summer.
Starc, speaking in Sydney, said he had “not really paid much attention” to the coverage and had no plans to read Khawaja’s book.
“Obviously, there are different opinions to about eight years ago,” Starc said. “We were heavily drilled through the process at the time since. Now, I guess, I won’t speak on behalf of the bowlers, but where I stand, my opinion hasn’t changed. My recollection hasn’t changed from what we said in 2021.”
Asked directly whether “everyone knew”, Starc said the claim was “for someone to explain further”, adding: “As far as our statement said in 2021, we weren’t aware of it being taken on the field. That’s where I’ll leave it.”
He also denied knowing that Cameron Bancroft, or any other Australian player, had used sandpaper during the second Test in Port Elizabeth, as alleged by Khawaja.
“We weren’t aware it was taken on the field to be tampered with,” Starc said. “We saw it on the big screen for the first time in Cape Town. As far as the book’s concerned, I haven’t read it and probably won’t read it, so that’s for Usman to elaborate on.”
Starc said he had not spoken to Khawaja in the previous day or two. Asked whether he expected to speak to him again, he replied: “It’s up to him.”
The renewed dispute has caused frustration within the Australian camp, with Starc unhappy that the events of 2018 had become the focus as the team prepared for the first Test against New Zealand in Perth on December 9.
“It’s definitely disappointing,” he said. “That’s what we’re talking about heading into what has already kicked off an exciting summer.”
Starc noted that opinions had differed among players and staff over the intervening years, including former coach Darren Lehmann. He said the current group had changed considerably and should be looking ahead to the season rather than revisiting the past.
