Sayers Backs Khawaja’s Claims, Says Sandpaper Use Was Known
Former Australia bowler Chadd Sayers says he took sandpaper off the ground in Gqeberha in 2018 and believes everyone in the side knew of the plan. He backs Usman Khawaja's version over Pat Cummins, as Cricket Australia says agreement is unlikely.
Former Australia bowler Chadd Sayers backed Usman Khawaja's account of the 2018 sandpaper ball-tampering scandal on Sunday, November 15, 2026, saying he believes "everyone" in the Test side knew about the plan. Sayers backs Khawaja's claims and contradicts Australia captain Pat Cummins.
Sayers, 39, was 12th man for the second Test of the 2018 series against South Africa in Gqeberha. He said he removed sandpaper from the ground there.
"It was given to me to take off," Sayers told SEN Radio. "That wasn't planned or anything. It was a wicket or drinks break after tea."
The Cape Town meeting
Sayers said the squad held a team meeting after Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper in Cape Town. He put it at "60 to 90 minutes" in the changing rooms, where players discussed what had happened and where to go next.
Khawaja claims that meeting covered taking collective responsibility. Cummins said in a news conference on Friday that he did not remember it.
"I am comfortable sitting here that I believe everyone in that side knew what was going on and what was being used," Sayers said. His one Test was the final match of that series.
He said sandpaper was used in two Tests. "I'm not taking sides," he added. "It's just my recollection of what took place."
Criticism of Cummins
Sayers also criticized Cummins's tone. "I didn't like how he did go at Usman and got personal," he said. "I probably get why but I don't think it needed to happen."
He called the news conference "a bit awkward" and said it was a relief the matter was now out in the open. "You've got to tiptoe around it and not be able to tell the truth," he said.
Sayers first backed Khawaja last week, saying "everything" in the former opener's book was accurate. Khawaja's autobiography alleges the whole team knew of the plot.
Cummins called the claims "100% wrong" and "utter nonsense". Bowlers Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon have always said they did not know.
Warner and Cricket Australia
David Warner accused Cricket Australia of a "cover-up" on Saturday, suggesting Hazlewood, Starc and Lyon had not been interviewed. Several media reports then confirmed bowlers had been interviewed, and Warner posted again on Instagram on Sunday.
Cricket Australia said it respects the right of those on the 2018 tour to share their version. A spokesperson said the "significant differences" in views show an agreed account is "very unlikely" without relevant material evidence.
Chief executive Todd Greenberg has said Cricket Australia will not reopen the investigation and has resisted calls to publish its findings. Former fast bowler Jason Gillespie said the board should "take the lead" and front the public.
Warner, Bancroft and then captain Steve Smith served lengthy bans over the scandal. Sayers said he doubts the dispute will end. "I don't think it's ever going to settle unless everyone agrees to what happened," he said.
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