DAVID WARNER insists Usman Khawaja was “100 per cent accurate” when he claimed the whole Aussie team knew about sandpapergate.

Warner broke an eight-year silence on the cheating scandal that is ripping apart friendships and once more casting dark shadows across Australian cricket.

Former opener Warner says the Cricket Australia probe into the ball-tampering disgrace was “botched” and demanded transparency.

The row has erupted again with the publication of Khawaja’s autobiography in which he insists all players and team management knew how the ball was being scratched during the Cape Town Test of 2018.

Khawaja went further by revealing the same tactic was used during the previous Test in Port Elizabeth.

Warner, who is playing in the Nepal Premier League T20 tournament, posted a video on Instagram supporting his childhood friend Khawaja.

He said: “It’s been eight years since I’ve spoken on this topic and, Uzzy, I throw my full support behind you.

“I thank you for what you’ve done. It’s 100 per cent accurate what you’ve said. Now everyone knows the truth, it’s out there. 

“People wanted to know it…you’ve come out and said it and now people are saying why, eight years on, you are talking to sell a book. 

“This is Usman’s story, this is what Usman believes. Uzzy wrote down every single thing from that day on. Uzzy, thank you.

“Now this whole interview process was rushed and botched. Uzzy was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft. Uzzy was not interviewed. How is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me.

“We’re not here to point fingers and we’re not opening our wounds. It’s about accountability, transparency, ensuring that the truth is properly examined and perhaps it’s time people stop scrutinising the person and start asking those responsible for the investigation to provide it.

“There were a lot of statements and inaccuracies over the last eight years…and there was a lot of people who stayed silent.”

Warner, Bancroft and then captain Steve Smith were the only players punished following the Cricket Australia investigation.

 Khawaja has repeatedly called for the whole squad to take collective responsibility.

 The four key bowlers – current captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon – issued a joint statement in 2021 insisting they did not know a foreign substance had been taken on the field.

Now Khawaja and Warner are effectively calling the quartet liars. And, don’t forget, they are expected to form the nucleus of Australia’s attack in next summer’s Ashes.

The calls for Cummins to comment and come clean on what happened are becoming overwhelming.

Cricket Australia say they are happy with the original investigation but would consider re-opening the issue if new evidence emerged. 

None of the executives involved at the time remains in place but most of the players are still active.

Mitch Marsh, who played in Cape Town, will captain Australia in their upcoming ODI series against England and is due to give a media conference on Thursday.