Alyssa Healy addresses fresh Sandpapergate claims involving Mitchell Starc

The 2018 ball-tampering controversy, widely known as Sandpapergate, has resurfaced in Australian cricket following explosive claims made by former batter Usman Khawaja in his new autobiography, Sabr. The allegations have placed renewed pressure on the Australian bowling unit, specifically Mitchell Starc, whose wife and former Australian women’s captain, Alyssa Healy, has now publicly addressed the situation.

In his book, Khawaja asserts that the entire Australian Test squad was aware of the illicit activities during the Cape Town Test against South Africa. Furthermore, he alleges that ball-tampering was not an isolated incident confined to the third Test, claiming the practice occurred during the second Test of the same series. These assertions directly challenge the long-standing position held by Starc and his fellow bowlers, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, who have consistently maintained they were unaware of the sandpaper being used on the field.

Starc has remained steadfast in his denial, publicly reiterating that his position remains unchanged from the joint statement issued by the bowling group in 2021. The controversy, which originally saw Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith, and David Warner receive significant suspensions, continues to be a sensitive subject within the sport.

Healy also highlighted the human element of the ongoing scrutiny, urging the public to show empathy toward those being forced to relive the experience. She suggested that the focus should remain on the future of the game rather than revisiting the past, noting that the sport has evolved significantly since the 2018 series. Her comments reflect a desire to support those affected by the renewed attention while acknowledging the necessity of looking ahead to the upcoming summer of cricket.