MELBOURNE (The Thursday Times) — Former Australia fast bowler Chadd Sayers said on Sunday that he was handed sandpaper to take off the field during the Test before the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering scandal, and that he believes “everyone” in that Australian side knew what was being used.
His comments back the version of events in Usman Khawaja’s autobiography and run against that of Pat Cummins, the Australia captain, who on Friday called Khawaja’s claims “100% wrong”. They add to a row that has already drawn in David Warner and Cricket Australia (see earlier coverage of Cummins’ rebuttal and Warner’s “cover-up” charge).
What Sayers said
Sayers, 39, was 12th man for the second Test of the 2018 series against South Africa in Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, and said Khawaja’s claim that sandpaper was used there as well was accurate. “It was given to me to take off,” he said in a radio interview. “That wasn’t planned or anything. It was a wicket or drinks break after tea.”
He said the sandpaper was used in two Tests and that it was discussed in the dressing room. “I am comfortable sitting here that I believe everyone in that side knew what was going on and what was being used,” Sayers said, adding that he was not taking sides and was only giving his recollection.
Sayers also said that after Cameron Bancroft was caught with sandpaper in Cape Town, the players sat in the changing room for “probably 60 to 90 minutes” discussing what had happened and where to go next. Cummins has said he does not recall such a meeting on collective responsibility.
The bowler said Cummins’ news conference on Friday “felt a bit awkward” and that he did not like the way the captain “got personal” with Khawaja. He called it a “relief” that the matter was now out in the open, but doubted it would ever be settled “unless everyone agrees to what happened”.
Cricket Australia and Warner
Cricket Australia responded later on Sunday. “We respect the right of those in South Africa in 2018 to share their version of what they believe happened on that tour,” a spokesperson said. “The significant differences in the views expressed continues to demonstrate that it is very unlikely an agreed version of events will be reached without relevant material evidence.” Chief executive Todd Greenberg has said the governing body will not reopen its investigation.
Warner, one of three players punished over the incident along with Steve Smith and Bancroft, accused Cricket Australia of a cover-up on Saturday, suggesting that Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon had not been interviewed. Reports have since said the bowlers were interviewed. On Sunday Warner wrote on Instagram that he had never been told the bowlers were interviewed or been given their statements, and asked why the players were not given all the evidence in 2018.
Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, and Lyon have always maintained that they did not know about the plan.
