video statement on Instagram:, external<\/a> “It’s been eight years since I spoke on this topic. And Ussie, I throw my full support behind you.<\/p>\n“I thank you for what you’ve done. It’s 100% accurate what you’ve said. Now everyone knows the truth.”<\/p>\n
Former batter Khawaja has said he was shocked not to be asked to provide evidence during Cricket Australia’s investigation.<\/p>\n
“In an ideal world, I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to be the one who comes out and talks about the truth,” he wrote.<\/p>\n
“The issue is that I genuinely thought after eight years the truth would have been out by now.”<\/p>\n
In response, Warner said: “This is Usman’s story. This is what Usman believes. Ussie wrote down every single thing from that day on.<\/p>\n
“This whole interview process was rushed and botched. Ussie was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft. Ussie was not interviewed.<\/p>\n
“How is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me. We’re not here to point fingers and we’re not opening old wounds. It’s about accountability, transparency, ensuring that the truth is properly examined. <\/p>\n
“Perhaps it’s time people stop scrutinising the person asking for accountability and start asking those responsible for the investigation to provide it.”<\/p>\n
While Smith, Warner and Bancroft – all batters – were punished, there was never an explanation of how bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon did not notice a change in the state of the ball.<\/p>\n
Cummins has been Test captain since 2021 and all four players remain fixtures in the Australia red-ball side.<\/p>\n
The quartet released a joint statement in 2021 which said they “did not know a foreign substance was taken on to the field”.<\/p>\n
Warner said in his video that there were “a lot of statements and inaccuracies over the last eight years that were out in the media by people. And there was a lot of people who stayed silent.”<\/p>\n
The 40-year-old, who scored 8,786 runs in 112 Tests, said he delayed his reponse to Khawaja’s comments so he could explain the incident to his daughters.<\/p>\n
“I had to tell them exactly what had happened,” said Warner. “My 12-year-old, Ivy, wanted to know why we were holding her, why there were so many cameras, why we were all crying on TV. That was a hard thing to do.<\/p>\n
“But one thing I did say is, ‘Girls, tell the truth, because lies will eventually get out’.<\/p>\n
“It’s a very tough time. This is for everyone in Australia. It’s been the question everyone’s been asking.<\/p>\n
“It’s been a tough time for my family, Steven and Cameron, no doubt. But this is what needed to come out. I fully support that, Ussie.”<\/p>\n