Usman Khawaja’s publisher Penguin has confirmed that “adjustments” have been made to his book tour following a tense TV interview.
Khawaja’s book, Sabr, released on Tuesday, contains an entire chapter titled “Sandpaper” dedicated to Australia’s infamous 2018 tour of South Africa, which resulted in Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being suspended for ball-tampering.
The 37-year-old appeared uncomfortable during an appearance on the ABC’s 7.30 on Tuesday night, when he dodged questions from host Sarah Ferguson about the aforementioned chapter.
In a written statement to ABC Sport, Penguin pushed back on reports suggesting Khawaja’s book tour had been cancelled altogether.
The publisher would not confirm what specific interviews had been cancelled, but that “adjustments” had been made.
“The book tour is 100 [per cent] still going ahead, we’ve just had to make some adjustments this week but no major cancellation of the tour at all,” the statement read.
Penguin also confirmed Khawaja will be doing further interviews regarding his new book.
In the 7.30 interview, Khawaja was adamant that he did not want a “witch-hunt” to take place as a result of his claim that the entire Australian team was aware of the plan to tamper with the ball against South Africa.
Khawaja’s account has been backed by Warner, who described it as being “100 per cent accurate” in his own statement on Monday night.
Bancroft refused to speak in depth on Khawaja’s claims in a short interview with reporters as he arrived at Melbourne Airport prior to a Sheffield Shield clash between Western Australia and Victoria at the MCG this week, while Smith is yet to speak publicly regarding the new book.
Australian paceman Mitchell Starc denied suggestions the bowlers were in on the sandpaper ploy in a media appearance on Tuesday afternoon.
Source: www.abc.net.au
