Former Australian fast bowler Chadd Sayers shared his side of the story on the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Eight years after the controversial South Africa tour, Chadd Sayers has revealed fresh details about what happened inside the Australia National Cricket Team dressing room during the Test matches in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

Sayers, the 12th man, claims the whole Australian team knew about the sandpaper used to alter the ball's condition in South Africa. The fast bowler also slammed Pat Cummins for the way he handled Usman Khawaja’s claims in the presser.

Chadd Sayers claims entire Australian team knew about sandpaper

Chadd Sayers has revealed that he was directly involved in handling the sandpaper and recalled a lengthy team meeting after the Cape Town incident. Sayers explained that discussions about getting the ball to reverse swing had taken place inside the dressing room during the Port Elizabeth Test.

Sayers was quoted as saying by SEN: “I think I've probably been portrayed in the media as taking Usman (Khawaja)'s side because I've spoken out and acknowledged that that was probably the truth. I'm comfortable sitting here right now, and where I stand on the situation, I believe that everyone on that side knew what was going on and what was being used.”

David Warner refused; Cameron Bancroft stepped in for Sandpaper plan

The fast bowler also revealed that David Warner was not willing to carry out the plan because he was already seen as a controversial figure in the Australian team. Cameron Bancroft then stepped forward to take responsibility for using the sandpaper on the South Africa tour.

He said, “David Warner was not going to do it. Cam Bancroft stepped in and said he would. We all know David Warner was seen as being the bad boy of the Australian cricket side at that stage, and cameras were always going to be on him, so he was not going to take part in it.”

Chadd Sayers reveals his own role in Australia's Sandpaper scandal

Sayers revealed that he was also part of the plan, and Bancroft was supposed to take the sandpaper onto the field, drop the ball near the umpires, and then continue playing normally. However, things took an unexpected turn when the sandpaper was handed over to Sayers during the drinks break after tea on the second day of the Port Elizabeth Test.

Sayers was carrying drinks onto the field when the material was passed to him by Bancroft. He removed it and took it away from sight. He could not clearly remember what he did with it afterwards but believed that it was not used again during that test match.

Was Sandpaper used in both Cape Town innings?

Talking about the Cape Town Test, Sayers was not completely sure whether the sandpaper was used in the first innings. However, he believed that it was used in the second innings. He also explained that the conditions at both venues were different. He shared, “I'm not 100% sure. I'm pretty sure we used it in the second inning; I don't believe it was used in the first inning, no.”

Sayers reveals what happened after Cape Town scandal

Meanwhile, Chadd Sayers recalled that the entire Australian team sat together in the dressing room for around 60 to 90 minutes after the day's play following the Cape Town controversy. During the meeting, players discussed what had happened and what should be done next.

Sayers also recalled that two players had opposed the idea of taking collective responsibility for the incident. However, he refused to reveal their names. He shared, “Yes, after the occurrence in Cape Town, we all sat in the change rooms after that day's play and probably for 60 to 90 minutes.”

Chadd Sayers makes shocking revelation about Cricket Australia's investigation

Interestingly, Sayers revealed that he was never interviewed during Cricket Australia's investigation. He revealed that players were asked to remain close to the hotel because interviews were expected to take place.

His wife was also present in South Africa at the time, but no one questioned him. He added, “I was never interviewed. Not really, but maybe because we were 12th man and we didn't play in the game. Maybe because we knew too much information. I'm not too sure.”

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon knew about Sandpaper?

Sayers was questioned about whether it was possible for the frontline bowlers, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, to be unaware of using the sandpaper to alter the conditions of the ball. He was confident that everyone in the squad knew what was happening.

He recalled, “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 in the field with the ball, it stops it from reversing straight away. So, as I said, I'm pretty confident to say that everyone knew.”

Sayers also shared his reaction to Pat Cummins' recent press conference. He felt uncomfortable with the way Cummins made personal comments about Usman Khawaja. He also feels the controversy will not end unless everyone involved agrees on what actually happened. With David Warner also sharing his views recently, he believes people will continue to look for answers.

He signed off by saying, “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 don't think it's ever going to settle unless everyone agrees to what happened. Unless everyone settles on what actually happened, I think everyone's going to be curious for a long time.”