Adelaide, November 15 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Australia fast bowler Chadd Sayers has said he is confident that the entire squad knew about the use of sandpaper during the controversial 2018 South Africa tour. He also revealed that he was the player who took the sandpaper off the field.
“I’m comfortable saying where I’m sitting now that everyone knew what was going on (In South Africa in 2018). It (sandpaper) was used in two Test matches and there were discussions in change rooms… I’m not taking sides; it’s just my recollection of what took place,” Sayers told SEN Radio on Sunday.
Sayers, who played just one Test for Australia and was the 12th man during the South Africa series, said ball tampering to achieve reverse swing required the involvement of the entire team. He added that even a small mistake by a fielder could undo the effort.
Recounting the events, Sayers said Cameron Bancroft was expected to take the sandpaper onto the field. However, the material was handed to him during a drinks break after tea, and he took it onto the field.
“The plan was that Cameron Bancroft was going to take that out; the ball was going to be dropped on the on the ground by the umpires and he was going to go about business. (The sandpaper) was given to me to take off, so that wasn’t planned or anything,” he said.
Sayers also said the players spent around 60 to 90 minutes discussing the incident in the dressing room after the day’s play in Cape Town. They discussed what had happened and how the team would move forward, although they did not know the full extent of the consequences at that stage.
He further said David Warner was unlikely to be involved in carrying out the plan because cameras were always focused on him. According to Sayers, Bancroft was assigned the task instead.
The scandal resulted in 12-month suspensions for Warner and then captain Steve Smith, while Bancroft received a nine-month ban.
The controversy has resurfaced in Australian cricket following the release of Usman Khawaja’s autobiography, Sabr. Warner has backed Khawaja’s claims, while Test captain Pat Cummins has described them as “100 percent wrong and utter nonsense”.
Sayers also disclosed that Cricket Australia never interviewed him during its investigation. He said players were asked to remain close to the hotel as interviews and an inquiry were expected, but he was never contacted. He suggested his status as the 12th man might have been a factor, while adding that he was unsure why he was not interviewed.
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