The controversy surrounding Australia's infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal has resurfaced after former Australian opener David Warner publicly criticised captain Pat Cummins. Warner has come out in support of Usman Khawaja following revelations in the latter's autobiography, Patience.

Warner expressed disappointment with Cummins' response to Khawaja's claims, accusing the Australian captain of putting his former teammate in a difficult position. He also suggested that Khawaja deserved support rather than criticism for sharing his account of the controversial incident.

David Warner backs Usman Khawaja's revelations

Speaking to Fox Cricket ahead of Australia's first ODI against England, Warner strongly defended Khawaja's account of the 2018 controversy.

Warner said he stood by what Khawaja had written in his autobiography and believed his former teammate was telling the truth.

He also expressed sympathy for Khawaja following Cummins' public response, saying he was disappointed with how the Australian captain had addressed the matter.

Warner's comments have added another dimension to the debate, bringing disagreements between former and current Australian players back into the spotlight.

Pat Cummins rejects Khawaja's allegations

The controversy intensified after Cummins addressed Khawaja's revelations during an extended press conference.

Khawaja had suggested that the Australian team had extensive knowledge of the ball-tampering incident during the 2018 Cape Town Test against South Africa.

However, Cummins firmly rejected the suggestion that he knew sandpaper was being used to alter the condition of the ball.

He maintained that he had consistently denied having prior knowledge of the plan over the past eight years.

Cummins also dismissed the suggestion that he and other members of the team were the architects of the ball-tampering plan, describing the allegation as completely untrue.

The Australian captain further expressed disappointment with the way the revelations had emerged.

Warner says the three players have paid a heavy price

Warner also reflected on the consequences faced by the players involved in the 2018 scandal.

Following the incident, Cricket Australia imposed significant suspensions on three players:

• David Warner: 12-month suspension.

• Steve Smith: 12-month suspension.

• Cameron Bancroft: Nine-month suspension.

Warner said that all three players had paid a substantial price for their involvement and continued to live with the consequences.

He also pointed out that he had largely avoided discussing the controversy for eight years, but believed the matter had continued to affect the players involved.

What happened in the 2018 Sandpaper Gate scandal?

The controversy dates back to Australia's Test match against South Africa in Cape Town in March 2018.

During the match, television cameras captured Cameron Bancroft attempting to use sandpaper to alter the condition of the cricket ball.

An investigation by Cricket Australia followed, resulting in suspensions for Warner, Smith and Bancroft. Smith and Warner were banned for 12 months, while Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.

The incident became one of the biggest controversies in Australian cricket history and significantly affected the team's reputation.

The controversy returns after eight years

The latest exchange between Warner and Cummins has reopened discussions about what happened behind the scenes during the Cape Town Test.

While Warner has publicly supported Khawaja's version of events, Cummins has strongly rejected the claims about his knowledge and involvement.

With different accounts now emerging from people associated with the Australian team, the Sandpaper Gate controversy continues to remain a sensitive chapter in the country's cricket history.