Chadd Sayers Claims Entire Australia Team Knew About 2018 Sandpaper Scandal

Posted : 15 November 2026

Former Australia fast bowler Chadd Sayers has reignited the controversy surrounding the infamous 2018 Sandpapergate scandal, claiming that members of the touring squad knew about the ball-tampering operation against South Africa.

Sayers, 39, revealed that he personally removed sandpaper from the field during the second Test in Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha. His account supports allegations made by former Australia batter Usman Khawaja in his recently released autobiography, Sabr.

Speaking on SEN Radio, Sayers explained that he was serving as Australia's 12th man when the incident occurred during a drinks or wicket break after tea.

According to his recollection, the sandpaper was passed to him while he was carrying drinks onto the field. He subsequently removed it from the playing area, although he could not remember exactly what happened to it afterwards.

"I actually can't remember, to be honest. Obviously took it off and took it out of sight," Sayers explained.

He also maintained that the sandpaper was used during two Test matches on the South African tour, supporting Khawaja's account that the practice started before the notorious Cape Town incident.

Sayers also challenged Australia captain Pat Cummins' account of what happened after Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper during the third Test in Cape Town in March 2018.

He recalled a lengthy meeting in the Australian dressing room following the incident. According to Sayers, players spent between 60 and 90 minutes discussing the controversy and whether the entire team should accept responsibility.

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

Sayers insisted that his comments were based on personal recollections rather than an attempt to support either side of the dispute.

"I'm comfortable sitting here that I believe everyone in that side knew what was going on and what was being used," he added.

His account directly contradicts Cummins, who strongly rejected Khawaja's allegations during a lengthy press conference on Friday, November 13.

The Australia captain described the claims as "100% wrong" and "complete and utter nonsense". Cummins maintained that he had no knowledge of the sandpaper operation and said the other members of the bowling group were also unaware of the plan.

The controversy has also drawn David Warner back into the dispute. The former Australia vice-captain publicly supported Khawaja's account and questioned the credibility of Cricket Australia's original investigation.

Warner suggested that the investigation was rushed and criticised the governing body over the information shared with those involved.

The original investigation resulted in lengthy suspensions for Smith, Warner and Bancroft. Smith and Warner received 12-month bans, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months. The three players accepted sanctions for their involvement in the ball-tampering incident.

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has since ruled out reopening the investigation. He maintained that the governing body remains satisfied with the original findings, despite the conflicting accounts from former members of the squad.

Sayers' latest revelations have added another important voice to the growing disagreement over one of Australian cricket's most damaging controversies. His claims have intensified questions about how much the wider squad knew and whether collective responsibility was properly addressed when the scandal first emerged.

Chadd Sayers Claims Entire Australia Team Knew About 2018 Sandpaper Scandal

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics