Former Australian batter Usman Khawaja has defended his comments about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, insisting he did not “throw anyone under the bus” by saying the entire team shared responsibility.

Khawaja reignited the controversy on Saturday ahead of the release of his autobiography this week. One chapter of the book reportedly revisits the infamous Cape Town Test during Australia’s 2018 tour of South Africa.

He claimed responsibility extended beyond Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who received suspensions following the scandal.

“It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us,” Khawaja said.

He also alleged that Australia had used the ball-tampering tactic during the preceding Test in Port Elizabeth.

Khawaja Says Responsibility Was Shared

Khawaja clarified his remarks in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday. He said his comments referred to collective responsibility rather than accusing individual teammates.

“When I mentioned it was all of us, that’s implying that whether we like it or not, we’re all responsible for what happened together as a team,” he wrote.

“We need to take that collectively. That is all.”

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He rejected suggestions that he had exposed or blamed former teammates.

“I haven’t thrown anyone under the bus,” he added.

Khawaja also argued that Smith, Warner and Bancroft had carried the burden of the scandal on behalf of the team.

“These three guys (Smith, Warner and Bancroft) took the blame for all of us,” he said.

He described the trio as victims of public humiliation, including accusations of cheating and hostility from spectators.

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Darren Lehmann, Australia’s head coach during the 2018 tour, denied that the wider team knew about the ball-tampering plan.

Cricket Australia also defended its original investigation. The governing body said it remained comfortable with its findings, which identified Smith, Warner and Bancroft as the players aware of the plan.

Khawaja’s latest comments have therefore renewed questions about the extent of knowledge within the Australian team during the tour.

Khawaja Explains Why He Waited Eight Years

The former batter also rejected suggestions that he had delayed speaking publicly to promote his autobiography.

He said he had considered revealing what he knew in 2018, after the three players received suspensions.

However, Khawaja said Smith persuaded him not to speak publicly because the former captain wanted to accept responsibility.

“But Smudge (Smith) being the man and leader he was, he talked me out of it,” Khawaja said.

He added that he argued with Smith but eventually decided to remain silent.

Khawaja said he considered speaking again in 2021. At the time, bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon had publicly denied knowing about the ball-tampering.

However, discussions with then-coach Justin Langer led him to reconsider.

The 39-year-old said he remained uncomfortable discussing the matter after returning to the Australian team in 2022.

“Call me a chicken or whatever you want. I didn’t know how to do it because I was still in the team,” he said.

“I was always conscious of putting my team first, but I’m not in that team anymore.”

Khawaja retired from international cricket this year after playing 88 Test matches.