Daijiworld Media Network - Sydney

Sydney, Nov 13: Former Australia opener David Warner has come out in support of Usman Khawaja following the latter's controversial comments about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, popularly known as the Sandpaper Gate.

In his recently released book, ‘Sabr’, Khawaja claimed that members of the Australian team were aware of the ball-tampering incident and that the use of sandpaper was not limited to the Cape Town Test. He also argued that the entire team should share responsibility for the episode.

Khawaja's remarks have drawn reactions from several former and current Australian cricketers. Australia captain Pat Cummins had reportedly dismissed the claims as "nonsense", prompting Warner to criticise his response.

Speaking to Fox Cricket, Warner said he continued to stand by Khawaja and believed that the latter had spoken the truth in his book.

"Pat Cummins was very well prepared this morning and, you know, I still stick by Uzi and what he's written in that book. It is the truth and I really, really support him. I actually feel for him at the moment. I actually feel that the captain today actually threw Uzi under the bus and I'm very, very disappointed about that," Warner said.

Warner also spoke about the personal and professional consequences he faced alongside Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft after they were caught using sandpaper on the ball during the Cape Town Test in 2018.

He said the three players had continued to face the consequences of the incident and had been subjected to public criticism over the years.

"All three of us have paid a big price in this and, you know, I hadn't spoken about it in eight years. But at the end of the day, we've got to live with these consequences daily and, you know, we've been served a life punishment," Warner said.

He added that he, Smith and Bancroft continued to face abuse despite having accepted responsibility for their actions.

Warner also revealed the personal impact the controversy had on his family, saying that he and his wife had lost a baby during that difficult period.

"My wife and I as well pay the greatest price. We lost a baby during that time. And that's why it really hurts me the most until the truth is accepted," he added.