Australia paceman Mitchell Starc denies Usman Khawaja's new Sandpapergate claims

Starc insisted he knew nothing about the ball-tampering operation before it was exposed in South Africa.

Speaking at Kayo Cricket's launch event on Tuesday, Starc became the first member of Australia's bowling group to address Khawaja's latest comments, reaffirming the position previously outlined in a joint statement issued by the country's bowlers in 2021.

The left-arm paceman maintained that he was unaware of the plan before Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper during the Cape Town Test. He also denied knowing that the technique had been employed in the preceding match at St George's Park.

"We weren't aware anything was taken onto the field to be tampered with," Starc told the press.

"We saw (the sandpaper) on the big screen in Cape Town.

"As far as the book is concerned, I haven't read it. I probably won't read it. So that's for Usman to elaborate on."

Khawaja had suggested the scheme was developed and carried out during that earlier Test, reigniting questions about how many players knew what was happening.

David Warner has backed Khawaja's account, calling his claims '100 per cent accurate' while describing Cricket Australia's original investigation as 'rushed and botched'.

However, chief executive Todd Greenberg has ruled out reopening the inquiry, which identified only Bancroft, Steve Smith and Warner as knowing about the plan.

Asked why he and Khawaja had such differing views, Starc responded: "That's a question for him.

"I'll stick to what I said five years ago, what I said at the time, eight years ago.

"Clearly, there are different versions from different people, and I'll leave it where I left it back then."

Starc added that whether he and Khawaja speak again is entirely up to his former teammate. 

READ MORE: England select uncapped spinner for Test series against Proteas