Former Australia fast bowler Chadd Sayers has challenged Pat Cummins’ version of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, backing Usman Khawaja’s claim that the entire Australian team knew about the plan to use sandpaper during the South Africa tour.Sayers, who was part of the touring squad, said he believed every player was aware of what was happening. He also disagreed with Cummins’ statement that there was no team discussion about taking collective responsibility after the incident.“I’m comfortable sitting here … that I believe that everyone in that side knew what was going on and what was being used,” Sayers told SEN radio on Sunday. “I’m not taking sides. I’m neutral in all this, I’m just trying to tell my side of the story and what I believe happened.”The controversy has returned to the spotlight following Khawaja’s autobiography, in which he claimed the entire team knew about the sandpaper plan and suggested Australia had used ball-tampering methods even before the Cape Town Test in 2018.Cummins dismissed Khawaja’s allegations as “complete nonsense” during a press conference on Friday. However, Sayers was unhappy with how the Australian captain addressed the issue, particularly his personal comments about Khawaja.“I didn’t like how he [Cummins] did go at Usman and got personal. I probably get why but I don’t think it needed to happen.”
Sayers recalls team meeting after scandal
Sayers also remembered a lengthy discussion among players after the incident came to light. This contradicts Cummins’ version of events.“We all sat in the change rooms after that day’s play, probably for 60 to 90 minutes, and just talked about what had happened and where to next,” Sayers said.He added that he was relieved the matter was finally being discussed openly after years of players having to remain silent.
Warner questions Cricket Australia ‘s investigation
Meanwhile, former vice-captain David Warner has again questioned Cricket Australia’s investigation, alleging that important information was withheld from him. Warner, along with Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, was punished following the scandal.Warner claimed he was never informed that bowlers had been interviewed during the investigation and questioned why the governing body had not shared all the evidence with him before he accepted his punishment.“Just to clarify ‘As far as I am aware’ was the POINT,” he wrote on Instagram. “I was never told the bowlers had been interviewed or provided statements.“That information would’ve been pretty useful when I was forced to make decisions back in 2018. Why weren’t we given all the evidence by CA?”
