David Saker Named as Coach in Sandpaper-Gate Cover-Up Attempt
· Sports · Indian Express, Times of India
Sydney Morning Herald reports that then Australia bowling coach David Saker was the unnamed official Usman Khawaja repeatedly referenced in his book regarding the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering scandal. Saker allegedly told Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft at a media conference "You can't say sandpaper" to prevent them from identifying the yellow object Bancroft used on the field. Khawaja wrote that Saker earlier smiled and encouraged Bancroft saying "whatever you're doing, we need more of it" when the ball was wet. Saker later signed a non-disclosure agreement with Cricket Australia after leaving in February 2019 but acknowledged collective blame in a newspaper column. Mitchell Marsh, part of that touring squad, deflected questions about the allegations in Perth.
Why it matters
Fresh details revive scrutiny on the 2018 scandal's extent and Cricket Australia's handling of it, potentially reopening reputational and governance questions for the board and former players.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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