The infamous Sandpapergate controversy in Australian cricket has resurfaced, with a fresh report revealing the identity of the coach mentioned by former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja in his autobiography. According to a leading newspaper, the coach in question was former Australia bowling coach David Saker.
Usman Khawaja’s revelations about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal have created considerable controversy in Australian cricket. His autobiography contains a separate chapter on Sandpapergate, in which he makes several allegations about the incident and refers to a coach without directly revealing his name.
Following Usman Khawaja’s claims, David Warner did not deny the allegations, while Mitchell Starc outright rejected them. Amid the reactions, the Sydney Morning Herald has now identified David Saker as the coach Usman Khawaja referred to in his book.
David Saker Allegedly Asked Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft to Hide the Truth
According to the newspaper’s report, David Saker allegedly advised former Australia captain Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft not to disclose the actual identity of the yellow object taken onto the field at Newlands during their media interaction after the day’s play, when the scandal first came to light. The report further claims that David Saker repeatedly warned the players against using the word sandpaper while speaking to the media.
What Did Usman Khawaja Reveal in His Autobiography?
Although Usman Khawaja did not directly name the bowling coach in his autobiography, he shared details of an alleged interaction involving the coach and Cameron Bancroft. According to Usman Khawaja’s account, the coach approached Cameron Bancroft and encouraged him to continue whatever he was doing to generate more movement in the air with the ball, particularly given the wet conditions.
Usman Khawaja also recalled seeing Cameron Bancroft pick up a piece of sandpaper and put it in his pocket during the incident. He further claimed that the coach appeared satisfied with the situation and walked away after exchanging a knowing smile with him and Cameron Bancroft.
In his account, Usman Khawaja suggested that the coach was keen to see the Australian bowlers generate more movement through the air, even if it meant going beyond conventional methods. These revelations have added another dimension to the Sandpapergate controversy, which remains one of the most talked-about incidents in Australian cricket.
David Saker Had Earlier Spoken About the Sandpapergate Controversy
Interestingly, David Saker had previously spoken about the incident despite signing a non-disclosure agreement with Cricket Australia after leaving the organisation in February 2019. In a column for a newspaper, the former Australia bowling coach acknowledged that several people could have been responsible for the scandal. He also admitted that the incident could have been prevented.
David Saker indicated that responsibility could potentially extend to him, former Australia coach Darren Lehmann (known as ‘Boof’), and other members of the team management. He also expressed regret that the situation was not stopped before it developed into a major controversy.
The latest report identifying David Saker has once again brought the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal into the spotlight. With Usman Khawaja’s autobiography revealing fresh details and raising questions about the involvement of the coaching staff, the controversy has taken another significant turn.
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