Sandpaper scandal: Bowler Chadd Sayers says he took sandpaper from the field and rejects Pat Cummins recount
Sayers backs Khawaja’s account
Sayers also said he believed “everyone knew” about the plan to tamper with the ball. The sandpaper was used to help generate reverse swing, and its use was exposed during the Cape Town Test in 2018.
Players discussed what followed
Sayers described a meeting in the Australia dressing room after Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper in Cape Town. He said players talked for about 60 to 90 minutes after that day’s play about what had happened and what to do next.
Khawaja has said players discussed taking collective responsibility. Cummins, who was part of the squad and is now Australia captain, said he did not remember such a discussion.
Accounts remain in conflict
Cummins rejected the claims, describing them as “100% wrong” and “utter nonsense”. Sayers played in the fourth Test in Johannesburg, the match after Australia’s use of sandpaper was uncovered, and took two wickets.
David Warner accused Cricket Australia of a “cover-up” on Saturday. He suggested that Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon had not been interviewed during the governing body’s investigation.
Key points
- Sayers says he helped remove sandpaper from the ground before the Cape Town Test.
- He backs Khawaja’s recollection and says he believes “everyone knew” about the plan.
- Sayers described a 60 to 90-minute meeting after Bancroft was caught using sandpaper.
- Cummins disputes the claims, while Warner has accused Cricket Australia of a cover-up.