Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja disputes findings in 2018 ball-tampering probe

Khawaja, in extracts of his autobiography published in the Sydney Morning ​Herald on Saturday, claimed "open, lighthearted discussions" were held during the South Africa series ​about ways to scuff up the ball, including by using sandpaper. He said discussion of tampering was not confined to batters, bowlers or staff but extended throughout the team.

"It was all ​of us," Khawaja, a former top-order batsman who played 88 tests for ​Australia, said in the book,. Khawaja was cleared of wrongdoing in the ‌probe ⁠and announced his retirement in January. Cricket Australia in 2018 imposed playing bans and other penalties on Smith, Warner and Bancroft.

Head coach Darren Lehmann was cleared of direct involvement but resigned soon after the series. Cricket Australia said on Saturday: "All ​relevant information presented to ​CA to ⁠date has been properly considered and we remain comfortable with the findings of our integrity process.

"It added: "There has been the ​ongoing opportunity to present any relevant information, and this ​remains the ⁠case. "Australian captain Pat Cummins, one of the bowlers who played in the infamous test at Cape Town, this month dismissed suggestions that Khawaja’s autobiography could trigger further fallout ⁠when ​published.

South Africa won the 2018 four-match test series ​3-1. Australia's test team last month returned to South Africa for the first time since 2018 and lost ​the three-match series 2-1.