Chadd Sayers Challenges Pat Cummins' Statements on 2018 Ball-Tampering Incident

In a recent development, former Australian cricketer Chadd Sayers has contradicted captain Pat Cummins' claims regarding the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Sayers asserts that the entire team was aware of the situation, challenging Cummins' denial of knowledge. This controversy has reignited discussions about accountability and the integrity of Australian cricket. Sayers' revelations, alongside Khawaja's autobiography, have raised questions about the investigation conducted by Cricket Australia. As tensions rise, the cricketing community is left to ponder the implications of these claims on the sport's reputation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 15, 2026, 15:07 IST

Contradicting Claims on the Ball-Tampering Scandal

Adelaide, Australia - On November 15, former Australian cricketer Chadd Sayers has publicly disagreed with some assertions made by captain Pat Cummins regarding the 2018 ball-tampering controversy involving batter Usman Khawaja during the South Africa tour. Sayers stated that "everyone in the team was aware of what was happening and what was being utilized."

Cummins refuted Khawaja's explosive claims from his autobiography 'Sabr', which detailed the impact of the 2018 Sandpaper Gate on him and the Australian cricket community. Despite addressing Khawaja as a friend, Cummins criticized his remarks as "utter nonsense" and accused him of being "casual and flippant" about a matter that has tarnished the reputations and lives of his teammates.

In response to Cummins' comments, Sayers, who participated in the Johannesburg Test during that tour, expressed his views on SEN Cricket, stating, "I am confident in my position that everyone in that team was aware of the situation and the methods being used."

Sayers clarified that he has been portrayed in the media as siding with Khawaja due to his acknowledgment of the truth, but he insists he is neutral. He aims to share his perspective on the events that transpired, particularly in Port Elizabeth, where discussions about ball manipulation occurred in the changing rooms.

He recounted, "I was aware that it was going to be used, just like everyone else. The plan involved Cameron Bancroft, who was supposed to drop the ball on the ground, while I was simply the player who brought out drinks at that moment."

When asked if the team had a discussion about collective accountability, Sayers confirmed, "Yes, after the incident in Cape Town, we gathered in the changing rooms for about 60 to 90 minutes to discuss what had occurred and our next steps."

Sayers played in the fourth Test against South Africa in Johannesburg from March 30 to April 3, 2018, stepping in for the injured Mitchell Starc following the Cape Town scandal. Khawaja also made startling revelations about the use of sandpaper during the second Test of the series in Gqeberha before the team was caught in Cape Town during the third Test. He mentioned that the Australians had altered the ball's condition during the 2017/18 Ashes series by lifting the quarter-seam.

During a press conference at Sydney's Cricket Central, Cummins stated, as reported by a media channel, that Khawaja's assertion that all players, including the bowling quartet of Cummins, Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, were aware of the sandpaper being used was completely incorrect. "If he means we knew sandpaper was going onto the field, he is 100% wrong," Cummins asserted, emphasizing that he had consistently denied any knowledge of such actions over the past eight years. He added that Khawaja's claims suggested that he and others were involved in orchestrating a ball-tampering scheme, which he labeled as "complete and utter nonsense."

Following Cummins' press conference, David Warner raised concerns about Cricket Australia's investigation into the 2018 ball-tampering incident, suggesting that the governing body may have conducted a flawed inquiry to uphold a narrative that the bowlers were unaware of the situation. Warner expressed his doubts about the investigation on Instagram, noting that Australian bowlers Hazlewood, Starc, and Lyon were not interviewed during the 2018 probe.

In 2021, the bowling quartet, including Cummins, issued a statement claiming they were unaware of any foreign object being used on the ball. Warner pointed out, "As far as I know, CA did not interview Hazlewood, Starc, or Lyon during their 2018 investigation. If that is true, how can CA maintain that the bowlers were oblivious? It appears they had predetermined who to blame, conducted a shoddy investigation to support that narrative, and now wish to uphold the false idea that the bowlers had no knowledge. That reeks of a cover-up," he stated in his Instagram post.

Warner, who supported Khawaja's call for collective accountability, reiterated that everyone was aware of the sandpaper being brought into play.