Harry Brook on Sandpapergate: 'I've never seen any ball tampering'
Synopsis
England captain Harry Brook stepped into a media storm not of his making — Usman Khawaja's explosive autobiography has reignited Sandpapergate, and all eyes turned to the visiting England skipper. Brook's response was blunt: he was barely 18 when the Cape Town scandal broke and has never witnessed ball tampering. With the first ODI at Perth on Friday, he is determined to keep focus on cricket, not controversy.
Key Takeaways
Harry Brook said he has 'never seen any ball tampering' and was aged 17 or 18 during the 2018 Cape Town scandal.
Usman Khawaja 's autobiography claims the entire Australian team knew sandpaper was being used in both the Cape Town and Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) Tests.
Former opener David Warner backed Khawaja's claims; Warner's lifetime leadership ban was overturned in 2024 .
The first England vs Australia ODI is scheduled for Friday at Perth Stadium (Optus Stadium) .
Brook urged his side to focus on the series rather than the off-field controversy.
England captain Harry Brook has firmly distanced himself from the renewed Sandpapergate controversy ahead of the first ODI against Australia at Perth Stadium on Friday, stating he has never personally witnessed ball tampering in international cricket and has no intention of wading into a debate about a scandal that erupted when he was a teenager.
What Brook Said
'I've never seen any ball tampering before. I wasn't in that (Australia) dressing room. I think I was about 17 or 18 years old, so I was completely oblivious to any of that stuff,' Brook said at the pre-match press conference, as quoted by The Independent.
The England skipper made his priorities unmistakable: preparing for a white-ball contest against a formidable Australian side on home soil takes precedence over relitigating events from eight years ago. 'We're just trying to concentrate on ourselves at the minute. That's all we can do. We're here to play against a strong Australian side in their backyard,' he added.
What Reignited the Controversy
The Sandpapergate furore was revived by former Australian opener Usman Khawaja's recently released autobiography, in which he claims the entire Australian team was aware that sandpaper was being used on the ball during the Cape Town Test against South Africa in March 2018. Khawaja went further, alleging the object was also used in the preceding Test at Port Elizabeth — now known as Gqeberha.
His account has since been corroborated by former opener David Warner, who received a one-year playing ban and a lifetime leadership ban following the scandal. The leadership restriction was overturned in 2024.
The Series Ahead
Brook expressed enthusiasm about launching the tour at a venue that holds vivid memories from the last Ashes series. 'Australia against England is always a good series, and we're looking forward to kickstarting it. The atmosphere when we played here was unbelievable,' he said, referring to Optus Stadium in Perth.
Notably, the first ODI comes at a moment when the broader off-field noise around Australian cricket — stirred by Khawaja's disclosures — risks overshadowing what promises to be a fiercely competitive bilateral assignment.
Background: The 2018 Scandal
The Cape Town ball-tampering scandal remains one of the most damaging episodes in cricket history. Then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were handed 12-month bans, while Cameron Bancroft, who physically used the sandpaper, received a nine-month ban. The fallout triggered widespread introspection about the culture of Australian cricket and led to governance reforms within Cricket Australia. Khawaja's autobiography has now reignited questions about the breadth of complicity beyond the three sanctioned players.
With the first ODI set to begin on Friday at Perth Stadium, Brook's England will be eager to let bat and ball do the talking.
Point of View
And no autobiography, however candid, substitutes for a credible independent inquiry. The timing, on the eve of a high-profile bilateral series, ensures the story will follow the teams regardless of how determinedly Brook focuses on cricket.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Harry Brook say about Sandpapergate?
Harry Brook said he has 'never seen any ball tampering' and was completely unaware of the 2018 Cape Town scandal, noting he was about 17 or 18 at the time. He declined to comment further, saying England's focus is entirely on the upcoming ODI series against Australia.
What did Usman Khawaja reveal in his autobiography about Sandpapergate?
Usman Khawaja's autobiography claims the entire Australian team was aware that sandpaper was being used on the ball during the Cape Town Test against South Africa in March 2018. He also alleged the object was used in the preceding Port Elizabeth Test, now known as Gqeberha.
What was David Warner's punishment after Sandpapergate and what happened since?
David Warner received a one-year playing ban and a lifetime ban from holding any leadership role following the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. The leadership restriction was overturned in 2024, allowing him to pursue captaincy roles again.
When and where is the first England vs Australia ODI?
The first ODI between England and Australia is scheduled for Friday at Perth Stadium, also known as Optus Stadium. It is the opening match of the bilateral white-ball series.
Who were the three players banned after the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering scandal?
Steve Smith (captain), David Warner (vice-captain), and Cameron Bancroft were banned following the incident. Smith and Warner each received 12-month bans, while Bancroft was banned for nine months.
