Lehmann disputes Khawaja's claims of widespread knowledge of sandpaper plot

Darren Lehmann has disputed Usman Khawaja's claim that Australia's entire touring group knew about the sandpaper plot during the 2018 Test series in South Africa. Speaking to ABC Sport's Summer Grandstand, the former Australia coach denied personal knowledge of the sandpaper use and questioned whether everyone in the camp could have known.

Watch the highlights:

Khawaja's account emerged ahead of his autobiography, Sabr. According to Nine's reporting, he told the Sydney Morning Herald that knowledge extended beyond the three players punished after the Cape Town incident. He also alleged that Cameron Bancroft had volunteered to use sandpaper during the preceding Test at Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, rather than the practice beginning at Newlands.

Nine reported that Khawaja said he had urged the team to accept collective responsibility after the controversy broke. He also said Cricket Australia had not interviewed him during its investigation, despite his proximity to Bancroft in the dressing room. These remain Khawaja's assertions about the events and the inquiry, rather than newly established findings by the governing body.

Lehmann told ABC he could not confirm or deny the discussion about collective responsibility because he had not been present. He recalled numerous meetings taking place and said he had spent considerable time meeting Cricket Australia. His response therefore distinguished between denying his own knowledge of sandpaper and being unable to account for conversations elsewhere in the dressing rooms.

The former coach also argued that ball tampering had been widespread in international cricket at the time, while acknowledging that this did not make it acceptable. Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to change the ball's condition during the Cape Town Test. He, captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were subsequently suspended, and Lehmann left his coaching post.

Cricket Australia has defended the integrity process, Nine reported. The governing body said it had considered the relevant information supplied to it and remained satisfied with its findings. It also said the opportunity to provide further relevant information remained open. That response leaves a clear distinction between Khawaja's broader allegations and the conclusions Cricket Australia continues to uphold.