Starc has become the first member of Australia's established bowling attack from the controversial 2018 series to publicly respond to the latest allegations. Khawaja's autobiography, released on Tuesday, reportedly provides further details about the ball-tampering controversy, including events during the second Test in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth.
Speaking at the launch of Kayo Sports and Fox Cricket ahead of Australia's home international season, Starc maintained that his recollection of the incident remained unchanged.
"My recollection hasn't changed from what we said in 2021," Starc said, referring to the joint statement issued by Australia's four frontline bowlers — Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.
The statement was released following Cameron Bancroft's 2021 interview, in which the former Australian opener suggested that it was "self explanatory" that the bowlers knew about the ball-tampering plan.
Responding to questions about whether the entire team was aware of the plan, Starc insisted that the bowlers had no knowledge of sandpaper being taken onto the field.
"As far as our statement said, we weren't aware of anything being taken onto the field. We saw it on the big screen in Cape Town," he said.
Starc also addressed Khawaja's claims about the earlier Test in Gqeberha, where Australia reportedly generated significant reverse swing during a session.
"That [Cape Town] is the first I was aware of any of that taking place. I'll leave that one for the author to explain," Starc added.
The left-arm pacer admitted that he had not followed the controversy closely and suggested that he was unlikely to read Khawaja's autobiography. He also revealed that he had not spoken to Khawaja in recent days.
Asked whether the two would discuss the matter, Starc replied, "It's up to him."
Warner Calls for Accountability as Cricket Australia Rules Out Fresh Investigation
The controversy has resurfaced following the publication of Khawaja's autobiography, which has reignited questions about the events surrounding Australia's 2018 tour of South Africa.
Former Australia vice-captain David Warner has described the original investigation as "botched" and called for greater accountability and transparency.
However, Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said there was no compelling reason to reopen the investigation, which resulted in suspensions for Warner, Cameron Bancroft and former captain Steve Smith.
The original investigation primarily focused on the events of the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town, where Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball.
Khawaja has defended the timing of his autobiography, rejecting suggestions that its release was motivated by commercial interests. He said he did not need the money and insisted that the book was not intended to generate controversy or target former teammates.
Alyssa Healy Comments on Khawaja-Starc Controversy
Australia women's team captain and Starc's wife, Alyssa Healy, has also addressed the controversy, acknowledging that the situation puts her in a difficult position as a broadcaster.
Speaking on the Keepin' It Cricket podcast, Healy joked about the criticism surrounding her husband following the publication of Khawaja's book.
She said she had been "scraping off bits of Mitch off the bitumen after the bus had just hit him" over the previous two days.
Healy also expressed reservations about the timing of the revelations, describing it as "a little bit sticky".
However, she made it clear that she had no concerns about sharing the commentary box with Khawaja or Warner during the upcoming Australian summer.
"I'm not one to sit there and worry about sitting next to anyone in the commentary box, regardless of who it is. We're a team," she said.
Mitchell Marsh Could Be Next to Address the Controversy
The renewed debate comes just ahead of Australia's home international season, with the first ODI against England scheduled to take place in Perth on Friday.
Starc admitted that the controversy was disappointing, particularly as attention was expected to focus on the upcoming cricket season.
Meanwhile, Cameron Bancroft and Nathan Lyon are scheduled to feature in Sheffield Shield matches, while Steve Smith is expected to return to Sydney from New York next week.
Australia's ODI captain Mitchell Marsh could become the next prominent player from the 2018 series to address the issue when he speaks to the media in Perth on Thursday.
With Khawaja's revelations, Warner's demands for accountability and Starc's firm denial, the eight-year-old ball-tampering scandal has once again become a major talking point in Australian cricket.
