Darren Lehmann Faces Fresh Questions Over His Role in Cricket’s Sandpapergate Scandal

Darren Lehmann is back at the centre of the debate over Australia’s 2018 ball-tampering scandal, after former England cricketer and match referee Chris Broad questioned how the coach could have been unaware of what was unfolding in his team. Broad’s remarks, reported by Track Radio, have revived scrutiny of why Lehmann did not receive a formal sanction comparable to those imposed on the players involved. The scandal erupted during the third Test against South Africa at Newlands in March 2018, when Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to alter the ball. Steve Smith and David Warner each received 12-month suspensions from Cricket Australia, while Bancroft was banned for nine months. Lehmann resigned as coach in the aftermath but was not subjected to the same kind of disciplinary penalty, according to the report. Broad argued that Lehmann must have known about the conduct. “Darren Lehmann surely knew all about it,” he said, adding that if the coach did not know, he should not have been in the role. Broad also questioned why Lehmann escaped formal punishment. The comments are an accusation, not evidence of what Lehmann knew, and the article does not report a new finding against him. The renewed criticism also draws attention to Lehmann’s earlier public comments about sporting conduct. In 2013, during the Ashes, he accused England bowler Stuart Broad of cheating after Broad remained at the crease following an edge that carried to slip off wicketkeeper Brad Haddin’s gloves. Lehmann encouraged Australian fans to give Broad a hard time during the return series, remarks that earned him an ICC fine of 20 per cent of his match fee. During the 2018 South Africa tour, Lehmann also condemned spectators in Cape Town after an altercation involving Warner and a patron, calling the crowd disgraceful over abuse aimed at players and their families. The article says that contrast has sharpened the latest questions about standards inside the Australian team. Lehmann’s departure came after the scandal, but the different consequences for coach and players remain a point of contention.