Michael Clarke has called for Cricket Australia to reopen its investigation into the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal following Usman Khawaja's explosive revelations. The former Australia captain believes the controversy has not been resolved and has questioned why current Test skipper Pat Cummins has not publicly addressed the latest claims.

Khawaja has alleged that the entire Australian team knew about the ball-tampering plan during the South Africa tour, including the use of sandpaper in the Test before the infamous Cape Town match.

Usman Khawaja rocks Australian cricket with fresh ball-tampering claims

In his autobiography Sabr, released on November 10, Khawaja has revisited the events surrounding Australia's 2018 tour of South Africa. He claims the team had discussed ways to alter the ball during the second Test at Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha, before sandpaper was used during the match.

According to him, Bancroft volunteered to use the material in that Test, where Australia managed to generate reverse swing. Khawaja also alleged that the team knew about the plan before Bancroft was caught on camera tampering with the ball during the third Test in Cape Town.

The former opener said he was sitting beside Bancroft during the Cape Town Test and witnessed interactions involving the young batter. He also revealed that Cricket Australia's investigators never interviewed him, despite his proximity to the events.

The original investigation concluded that Smith, Warner and Bancroft were the only players aware of the plan. The three received lengthy suspensions, while Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon later denied knowing about the use of a foreign substance in a joint statement in 2021.

Khawaja's claims have received public backing from Warner, but Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has ruled out reopening the investigation. The governing body remains satisfied with its original findings.

I want to know, firstly, did everyone know? - Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke believes another investigation is necessary to establish what actually happened. Speaking on 2DayFM's Breakfast with Nath & Emma on Tuesday, he said the controversy had damaged the trust of Australian supporters because important questions remained unanswered.

The former captain also pointed out that earlier opportunities to establish the complete truth had not resolved the matter. He wants everyone involved to provide their accounts so the issue can finally be put to rest.

“We haven’t moved on. Australian fans have not moved on. They can’t trust what’s real. They don’t know the truth – until this (investigation) gets reopened and the truth comes out,” Michael Clarke said.

“We had the chance in 2018. The truth didn’t come out. We had the chance in 2021 when (Cameron Bancroft) made those comments (to The Guardian). The truth didn’t come out. Now we’ve got this opportunity. I would just like to see whatever the truth is for it all to come out, allow people to finally tell the truth, and move on.”

“For me, right now, there’s more questions than answers. I want to know, firstly, did everyone know? Because certain players have come out and said they didn’t. I want to know: did they know or not? That’s important information so we can get the truth. And did it happen in the game before? That’s also what I’m hearing, that (it didn’t just happen) in Cape Town.”

I can’t believe we haven’t heard from Pat Cummins yet - Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke also questioned the silence from Cummins, who was part of Australia's bowling attack during the 2018 tour. In 2021, Bancroft's comments about the bowlers' possible awareness prompted Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon to issue a joint denial.

Michael Clarke believes Cummins' position as Australia's current captain makes his response particularly important. He also highlighted how the scandal changed the leadership of the national team, with Smith losing the captaincy before Tim Paine and later Cummins took charge.

“I can’t believe we haven’t heard from Pat Cummins yet, the Australian captain,” Michael Clarke said.

“Steve Smith lost his job. If this doesn’t happen, Tim Paine never captains Australia. And neither does Pat Cummins. Pat Cummins would not have captained a game at this stage if Sandpapergate didn’t happen because Steve Smith would still be captain.”