McGrath Calls for Sandpapergate to Move On
Former fast bowler Glenn McGrath urged cricket to move past the 2018 ball tampering affair as Cricket Australia rules out a fresh investigation.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Tennis
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Former Australian cricket fast bowler Glenn McGrath said the 2018 ball tampering in South Africa was wrong and called for the game to move on. Cricket Australia ruled out opening a fresh investigation into the affair, saying it is comfortable with the outcome of the original inquiry.
Why it matters
Usman Khawaja and David Warner have claimed the entire Australian team was aware of a ball tampering plot, a claim that Test captain Pat Cummins has denied. Cricket Australia said there is nothing to be gained from reopening the matter, which it said was dealt with under previous leadership.
The available sources contain no quantitative figures for this story. The central question of whether the wider Australian team knew of the 2018 plot remains contested between the players making the claims and Test captain Pat Cummins.
The players
Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath is a former Australian cricket fast bowler who is widely regarded as one of the country's great pace bowlers.
Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia is the governing body for cricket in Australia, responsible for the national men's and women's teams and domestic competitions.
Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins is the captain of Australia's Test cricket team and a leading fast bowler.
David Warner
David Warner is a former Australian opening batter who was involved in the 2018 ball tampering affair in South Africa.
Usman Khawaja
Usman Khawaja is an Australian Test batter who was part of the national squad during the 2018 South Africa series.
The details
Glenn McGrath made his comments on the Fast Bowling Cartel podcast, while Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg spoke to SEN. Greenberg said the matter was dealt with under a previous leadership in 2018 and that the governing body is comfortable with the outcome of the original investigation.
Timeline
2018: Ball tampering occurred during the South Africa series and was handled under the previous leadership.
13 November 2026: McGrath made his plea and Cricket Australia ruled out a new investigation.
Roadmap
The 2018 Newlands ball tampering affair, which led to sanctions against Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, remains the reference point for this renewed debate. Cricket Australia's refusal to reopen the inquiry places the matter in the category of a settled historical episode rather than an open investigation.
The reopening of the 2018 inquiry has been ruled out, so no further formal process is scheduled. Fans following the debate can expect the matter to be treated as closed by the governing body unless new evidence emerges.
The takeaway
Cricket Australia's decision to rule out a fresh investigation shows how the governing body is drawing a line under the 2018 affair. Readers can track how the disputed claims about team knowledge are handled in future statements from the players involved.
Further reading
For more on the sport, browse Tennis coverage across Australia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News.
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Should Cricket Australia reopen the 2018 ball tampering investigation?
