bowler

Former Australia bowler Chadd Sayers says he helped take sandpaper off the ground in the match before the infamous Cape Town Test and has backed Usman Khawaja’s recollection over Pat Cummins’ – saying he believes “everyone knew” about the plan to ball tamper.

Sayers, 39, was 12th man during the second Test of the 2018 series against South Africa in Gqeberha, previously known as Port Elizabeth, and backed the claim from Khawaja’s book that sandpaper was also used there.

“It was given to me to take off,” Sayers said on SEN Radio.

“That wasn’t planned or anything. It was a wicket or drinks break after tea.”

Sayers also said there was a “60 to 90-minute” meeting in the Australia dressing room after Bancroft had been caught using sandpaper in Cape Town, in which players discussed taking collective responsibility – something Khawaja claims but Cummins said he did not remember in his extraordinary news conference on Friday.

“I am comfortable sitting here that I believe everyone in that side knew what was going on and what was being used,” said Sayers, whose one Test was the final match of that series.

“It [sandpaper] was used in two Test matches and there were discussions in the changing rooms.

“I’m not taking sides, it’s just my recollection of what took place.

“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.”

Farbrace, who moved from Sussex at the end of the season, has not yet officially started in his new role at Lancashire but delivered the news to Anderson at a meeting last week alongside chief executive Richard Kenyon, who has also recently been appointed.

The news was first reported on Wednesday and Lancashire did not comment officially until Sunday. At a meeting with members on Monday, the club said they would look into arranging Anderson a farewell.

“It shows a lack of leadership at that club,” said Broad, whose combined total of Test wickets with Anderson stands at a record 1,039 in 138 Tests.

“It shows a lack of doing it the right way.

“Paul Farbrace is new, but where is the chair? Where is the board demanding that this is done in a better way?”

Speaking publicly for the first time since the decision on Sunday, Anderson, who also had his England career cut short in 2024 in similar circumstances, expressed his sadness at the situation but stopped short of retiring.

Other counties are understood to be interested in signing the veteran.

“I get the thought process, ‘we could probably get two half-decent cricketers for the one and losing that salary’,” Broad added.

“It doesn’t surprise me that some counties have already been on the phone and seeing what his interest levels are.

“I don’t know what his next steps are. I think his statement was quite interesting.

“There will be a lot of counties that want him. He offers a huge amount, he’s still one of the best bowlers in the country.”