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Sayers says he believes entire Australia team knew about Sandpapergate
Former Australia fast bowler Chadd Sayers says he believes the whole team knew sandpaper was being used to change the ball during the 2018 South Africa tour. His comments support Usman Khawaja’s recent claim that knowledge of the scandal extended beyond the three players who were punished, renewing scrutiny of Cricket Australia’s investigation.
Sayers said sandpaper was also used in the second Test at Port Elizabeth and that he removed it from the field after it was passed to him while he was carrying drinks. He was not interviewed by Cricket Australia, which has ruled out reopening its inquiry; Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for 12 months and Cameron Bancroft for nine. Mitchell Starc has denied prior knowledge, while captain Pat Cummins called suggestions of his involvement “utter nonsense”.
In short
- Chadd Sayers believes the entire 2018 Australia team knew about ball tampering.
- He says he removed sandpaper from the field at Port Elizabeth.
- Cricket Australia will not reopen its investigation.
Explained simply
Sandpapergate refers to a ball-tampering scandal during Australia’s 2018 cricket tour of South Africa. Players used sandpaper to roughen the ball, which can affect how it moves through the air. Cricket Australia investigated and punished Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who were captain, vice-captain and a player in the team.
The inquiry and the question of who knew about the plan have remained matters of debate. Former fast bowler Chadd Sayers and batter Usman Khawaja are among those who have said they believe knowledge extended beyond the three punished players. Cricket Australia’s investigation is central to the dispute because its findings shaped the penalties and the account of what happened.