Chadd Sayers also says entire Australia team knew about Sandpapergate

Former Australia test bowler Chadd Sayers has endorsed Usman Khawaja's assertions regarding the Sandpapergate scandal that occurred during the 2018 tour of South Africa. Sayers firmly believes that all members of the team were well-aware of the sandpaper used to alter the ball's condition. The tampering, which was uncovered during the third test at Newlands in Cape Town, resulted in the banning of former captain Steve Smith and vice captain David Warner for 12 months by Cricket Australia (CA).

Cameron Bancroft was also suspended for nine months. Khawaja disclosed in his recent autobiography "Sabr: Finding my way in Cricket and Life" that the knowledge of the plan extended beyond the three players penalized and was more widespread throughout the team. In response to these new allegations, CA has decided to refrain from reopening its investigation from 2018.

Warner has accused the sports body of staging a cover-up by disregarding crucial witnesses and attempting to blame only three players. Sayers, 39, corroborated Khawaja's claim that sandpaper was utilized during the second test at Port Elizabeth, stating that he was the player assigned to remove it from the field. He claimed that the process was spontaneous and unpremeditated, attributing it to his role in retrieving drinks at the time.

Sayers, who participated in only one test match for Australia during the 2018 South Africa tour, mentioned that he did not face an interview as part of CA's inquiry. He speculated that his exclusion might have been due to his limited involvement in the match or perhaps because he possessed excessive information. Mitchell Starc, a fast bowler, denied any foreknowledge of the incident on Tuesday, while Australia's captain Pat Cummins dismissed the allegations as "utter nonsense" on Friday.

However, Sayers remains confident that the entire team, including the bowlers, were cognizant of the ongoing deception. He expressed dissatisfaction with Cummins' personal attack on Khawaja, deeming it unnecessary.