Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg on 10 November 2026 ruled out reopening the investigation into the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering scandal, declaring the governing body's position unchanged despite fresh revelations from batter Usman Khawaja and former opener David Warner. Greenberg said the CA board saw no value in revisiting an inquiry conducted eight years ago.

Greenberg's Position

Greenberg, who was not part of Cricket Australia's administration in 2018, argued that conflicting accounts from members of the Australian dressing room made it impossible to establish a common version of events. He emphasised that the organisation was focused on moving forward rather than second-guessing decisions taken under its previous leadership.

'There's absolutely no benefit in going back,' Greenberg told SEN radio. 'That's the clear position of the CA board. I think it's time we've got to look ahead, and the matter was dealt with under a previous leadership back in 2018. And you know, trying to second guess decisions from a previous time, or making an assessment through the prism of hindsight, it's not something we want to do.'

What Khawaja and Warner Alleged

The renewed scrutiny follows the publication of Khawaja's autobiography, Sabr, in which the Australia batter devoted an entire chapter to the ball-tampering episode. Khawaja alleged that involvement in the plan extended beyond the three players originally sanctioned — Warner, Steve Smith, and Cameron Bancroft — and claimed that sandpaper had also been used during the second Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth, before the incident became public in Cape Town.

Khawaja also questioned the original inquiry, revealing that he was never interviewed despite sitting alongside Bancroft throughout the Cape Town Test. Warner subsequently endorsed Khawaja's account, describing it as '100% accurate', while former Australia fast bowler Chadd Sayers also backed the revelations in a television interview. Notably, the corroboration from multiple figures represents the most concerted challenge yet to the official 2018 findings.

CA's Counter and Conflicting Accounts

Greenberg confirmed he had spoken to several players present in Cape Town and that their recollections differed markedly from Khawaja's version. Having served as Australian Cricketers' Association chief executive from 2020 to 2025, he said he had examined the transcripts of the original investigation as well.

'I can assure you, there are lots of other players who have a very, very different version of events, and they've made that very public from the very start in 2018,' Greenberg said. He added that his conversations with those players over the weekend suggested their position would not change, leaving the matter at the same impasse it has occupied since the scandal broke.

Greenberg admitted he had not yet read Khawaja's book, though he confirmed that Khawaja had contacted him directly. He reiterated that CA remained satisfied with the conclusions of the earlier inquiry and saw no compelling grounds for another investigation. 'We have said we're comfortable with the outcome of the investigation based on the information we've received, that includes what we've seen from Usman and our position hasn't changed on that,' he said.

What Happens Next

The controversy is expected to remain in the spotlight in the coming days. Australia captain Pat Cummins, who was part of the bowling attack during the Cape Town Test, is scheduled to address the media officially in the near future. Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh are set to face reporters on Tuesday and Thursday respectively, ahead of Australia's first ODI against England in Perth.

Greenberg said the bowlers had maintained a consistent account of the episode since 2018 and expected them to stand by their earlier statements. This comes amid growing calls from fans, former players, and commentators for a transparent accounting of one of cricket's most damaging episodes. How Cummins and his teammates respond may determine whether public pressure eventually forces CA to reconsider its current stance.