Last Updated on 3 hours ago by Charbel Coorey
Australia’s one-Test wonder Chadd Sayers has strongly backed Usman Khawaja’s revelations on the sandpapergate from his recently released autobiography ‘Sabr’. Sayers’ statement was also in stark contrast with Australia‘s current Test captain Pat Cummins, who said Khawaja’s claims are ‘utter nonsense’ in a recent media address.
With the eight-year-old scandal resurfacing and opening a fresh can of worms, the former Australian cricketer has made some new revelations during a recent interaction. Speaking on SEN Radio ahead of the second ODI against England in Adelaide, Sayers backed Khawaja’s claims that everyone in the team knew about the ball-tampering plan. He further revealed that as the 12th man, he was charged with removing the sandpaper from the previous Test at Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha).
“I’m comfortable sitting here right now, and where I stand on the situation, that I believe that everyone in that side knew what was going on and what was being used. I think I’ve probably been portrayed in the media as taking Usman’s side because I’ve spoken out and acknowledged that that was probably the truth, but I’m neutral in all this. I’m just trying to tell my side of the story and what I believe happened.
“It was used in two Test matches and there was discussions in the changing-rooms about how were we going to get the ball to reverse, and what was going to be used. I just knew that it was going to be used, as I believe everyone else did.
“I guess the plan was that Cameron Bancroft was going to take that out, the ball was going to be dropped on the ground by the umpires and he was going to go about his business … [the sandpaper] was given to me to take off, so that wasn’t planned or anything, I was just the player who took the drinks out at the time.”
Chadd Sayers criticises Pat Cummins for having a go at Usman Khawaja
With relations between current and retired Australian cricketers at a tipping point, Sayers expressed his disappointment at Cummins for attacking Khawaja personally. When asked about Cummins‘ media briefing, the 39-year-old stated:
“To be honest, I didn’t watch much of it. I saw him rock up and start talking and it just felt a bit awkward and yeah, I just didn’t want to see that. I didn’t like how he did go at Usman and got personal. I probably get why but I just don’t think it needed to happen.”
33-year-old Cummins not only labelled Khawaja’s claims as ‘utter nonsense’ but also noted how friends usually don’t be casual with such accusations. Nevertheless, David Warner also backed Khawaja’s claims and slammed Cricket Australia for their botched investigation eight years ago. Steve Smith, also a key figure in that saga, is yet to break his silence on the resurfaced details.
