Australia’s Sayers ‘took sandpaper from field’ & rejects Cummins’ claims

Former Australia fast bowler Chadd Sayers says he helped remove sandpaper from the field during the 2018 Test in Gqeberha, supporting Usman Khawaja’s account that the ball-tampering plan was known across the team. His recollection adds fresh detail to a long-running dispute over who knew about the scheme and what players discussed after it was exposed.

Sayers, who was 12th man in Gqeberha, said the sandpaper was handed to him during a break and that players later spent 60 to 90 minutes discussing the Cape Town incident and what to do next. Australia captain Pat Cummins has called Khawaja’s claims “100% wrong” and “utter nonsense”; the bowlers in the squad have said they were unaware. David Warner has also alleged Cricket Australia’s investigation was a “cover-up”.