Chadd Sayers aligned with claims in Usman Khawaja's memoir indicating that ball tampering occurred as early as the second test in Port Elizabeth, where Sayers recalled taking sandpaper off the ground during drinks duty. Sayers argued that generating reverse swing inherently demands the entire bowling unit's active coordination, making widespread ignorance unlikely. While David Warner previously accused Cricket Australia of ignoring key witnesses to conceal the affair's scope, the governing body refuses to reopen the investigation. Current squad leaders like Pat Cummins have sharply dismissed the renewed claims.
Key points
Allegations from Usman Khawaja and Chadd Sayers assert the entire team knew about ball ta…: Allegations from Usman Khawaja and Chadd Sayers assert the entire team knew about ball tampering during the 2018 tour.
Captain Pat Cummins and fast bowler Mitchell Starc have forcefully denied having any prio…: Captain Pat Cummins and fast bowler Mitchell Starc have forcefully denied having any prior knowledge of the tampering tactics.
Cricket Australia has formally ruled out reopening its investigation despite claims that…: Cricket Australia has formally ruled out reopening its investigation despite claims that key witnesses were deliberately bypassed.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Nov 15 : Former Australia test bowler Chadd Sayers backed Usman Khawaja's claims about the Sandpapergate scandal on Sunday, saying he believes everyone in the side during the 2018 tour of South Africa knew sandpaper was being used to alter the condition of the ball.
The tampering, discovered during the third test at Newlands in Cape Town, led to former captain Steve Smith and vice captain David Warner being banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia (CA) from elite cricket. Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month suspension for his part in the incident.
Khawaja wrote in his autobiography "Sabr: Finding my way in Cricket and Life", released on Tuesday, that knowledge of the plan was not limited to the three players who were punished and was more widespread within the team.
In the wake of the new allegations, CA has ruled out reopening its 2018 investigation, while Warner has accused the sports body of orchestrating a cover-up by ignoring key witnesses and seeking to pin blame on three players.
"I believe that everyone in that side knew what was going on…
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