Chadd Sayers contradicts Pat Cummins on Sandpapergate, backs Khawaja's claims

Pacer Chadd Sayers, who was part of Australia's squad during the 2018 tour of South Africa, has contradicted Pat Cummins' remarks regarding Usman Khawaja's allegations, claiming that everyone in the Australian dressing room was aware of the plan.

Sayers' lone Test appearance came in Johannesburg, the venue that hosted the final red-ball match of the infamous series. He was drafted into the playing XI as a replacement for the injured Mitchell Starc. Sayers also revealed that, while serving as the 12th man during the Port Elizabeth Test, he was tasked with removing the sandpaper from the field.

"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," Sayers told SEN Radio.

"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."

"In Port Elizabeth. As it's known now, it was used in two Test matches and there were discussions in the dressing room about how we were going to get the ball to reverse and what was going to be used," Sayers responded when asked when did he become aware of the use of sandpaper.

"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 it 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 taking the drinks out at the time."

Sayers also contradicted Cummins' assertion that he did not recall any team meetings about taking collective responsibility. According to Sayers, a lengthy discussion took place in Cape Town following the incident to determine the team's next course of action.

"After the occurrence in Cape Town, we all sat in the changing room after that day's play, probably for 60 to 90 minutes, and just talked about what had happened and, I guess, where to next," he said.

As a fast bowler, Sayers added that it would have been extremely difficult for the bowling group not to know what was happening with the ball.

"I would have thought, as a team, when you're trying to get the ball to reverse, that everyone would buy in because if one little thing goes wrong to the ball in the field, it stops reversing straight away. So, yeah, as I said, I'm pretty confident in saying that everyone knew."