Autobiography 'Sabr' Sheds Light on Ball‑Tampering Controversy

Usman Khawaja’s new book, "Sabr," provides a first‑hand narrative of the 2018 Port Elizabeth test, where Australian players used sandpaper to modify the cricket ball. He explained that the sandpaper‑treated side became rough and dry, enabling reverse swing that baffled South African batsmen.

Khawaja highlighted that the preparation began during the interval, with Cameron Bancroft handling the ball while the team waited for the next session. The altered ball helped Australia claim four wickets for 28 runs, but the advantage was insufficient to change the match outcome.

South Africa’s chase was dominated by AB de Villiers, who amassed 126 runs without losing his wicket, guiding the Proteas to a six‑wicket victory. Khawaja also referenced the broader fallout from the Cape Town ball‑tampering scandal, noting that the investigation identified Smith, Warner and Bancroft as having prior knowledge.

The memoir adds fresh insight into the tactics employed by the Australian side and underscores how the sandpaper episode fits into the larger narrative of cricket’s battle against ball‑tampering.