Mitchell Starc denies knowledge of 2018 ball tampering plan amid Khawaja book claims

Mitchell Starc, the Australian fast bowler, has denied allegations from Usman Khawaja's new book that more players beyond those suspended were aware of the 2018 ball tampering involving sandpaper in Cape Town. Starc stated he had no knowledge of sandpaper being used in the preceding Test or at Newlands and affirmed his previous statements denying awareness of the plan. Cricket Australia also announced it will not reopen its investigation into the incident, with CEO Todd Greenberg stating no compelling reason to revisit the matter despite conflicting accounts in Khawaja's book. Khawaja denied exploiting the controversy for financial gain and said his publisher and manager were unaware of his intent to disclose new details when the book deal was signed. Separately, Khawaja reported racial abuse from members of the Marylebone Cricket Club during the 2023 Ashes Test, leading to disciplinary actions by the MCC, who have no plans to revisit the incident.