{
  "id": 20138327,
  "title": "Australia's Sayers 'took sandpaper from field'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/australias-sayers-took-sandpaper-from-field",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-15T07:32:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/australias-sayers-took-sandpaper-field-073250620.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Australian bowler Chadd Sayers has revealed he assisted in removing sandpaper from a cricket pitch before a controversial Test match in Cape Town. Sayers, 39, testified on SEN Radio that he was present to remove the sandpaper during a drinks break after tea in the match preceding the infamous Cape Town Test. According to Sayers, the sandpaper removal was not planned and simply occurred during a brief pause in play.\n\nSayers also corroborated Usman Khawaja's account of the \"Sandpapergate\" scandal, which alleges that the entire Australian team was aware of using sandpaper to tamper with the ball. Khawaja claimed that players discussed taking collective responsibility after Pat Cummins was caught using the sandpaper in Cape Town. While Cummins vehemently denied these claims, Sayers expressed his belief that everyone in the team was aware of the situation. During the post-match discussions in the changing room, which lasted for 60 to 90 minutes, players reportedly deliberated on the matter and decided on the next steps.",
  "summary": "Australia bowler Chadd Sayers says he helped take sandpaper from the field in the match prior to the Cape Town Test and backs Usman Khawaja's recollection over Pat Cummins'.",
  "key_points": [
    "Chadd Sayers removed sandpaper during drinks break",
    "Sandpapergate scandal involved entire Australian team",
    "60-90 minute post-match discussions held in changing room"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ESPNcricinfo",
        "title": "Sayers backs Khawaja's claims on sandpaper, goes against Cummins",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/sayers-backs-khawajas-claims-on-sandpaper-goes-against-cummins",
        "published": "2026-11-15T04:58:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Australia's Sayers 'took sandpaper from field' & rejects Cummins' claims",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/australias-sayers-took-sandpaper-from-field-rejects-cummins-claims",
        "published": "2026-11-15T07:32:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Australian cricket player backs Khawaja’s sandpapergate claim",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/australian-cricket-player-backs-khawajas-sandpapergate-claim",
        "published": "2026-11-15T07:37:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Australian cricket player backs Khawaja’s sandpapergate claim",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/australian-cricket-player-backs-khawajas-sandpapergate-claim-20135378",
        "published": "2026-11-15T07:37:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}