Sayers, 39, alleged that every member of Australia’s touring side knew sandpaper was being used to alter the ball, a claim that adds to renewed scrutiny of the Sandpapergate scandal. Cricket Australia has ruled out reopening its 2018 investigation following the latest allegations.

The scandal emerged during the third Test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town. Then captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner received 12-month bans from elite cricket, while Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months for his role in the incident.

Khawaja wrote in his autobiography, Sabr: Finding my way in Cricket and Life, released on Tuesday, that awareness of the plan had been more widespread within the team than the three players punished by Cricket Australia. Warner has since accused the governing body of a cover-up, alleging it ignored key witnesses while concentrating blame on Smith, Warner and Bancroft.

Sayers recounts Port Elizabeth incident

Speaking to SEN radio, Sayers supported Khawaja’s account. “I believe that everyone in that side knew what was going on and what was being used,” he said.

Sayers also agreed with Khawaja’s claim that sandpaper had been used during the second Test at Port Elizabeth. He said he was the player who took the material from the field while acting as 12th man.

“It was given to me to take off, so that wasn’t planned or anything. I was just the player who took the drinks out at the time ... it was passed on to me,” Sayers said.

The fast bowler made his only Test appearance in the fourth and final match of that 2018 tour. He said Cricket Australia never interviewed him during its inquiry, suggesting his role as 12th man in the preceding game may have been a factor, though he also wondered whether it was because he knew too much information.

Current players reject involvement claims

Mitchell Starc denied having prior knowledge of the ball-tampering incident on Tuesday. Australia captain Pat Cummins also rejected suggestions that he had been involved, calling the allegations “utter nonsense” on Friday.

Sayers nevertheless maintained that the bowlers, along with the rest of the side, would have known what was happening because maintaining reverse swing required a coordinated approach in the field. “When you’re trying to get the ball to reverse, everyone has to buy in,” he said. “I’m pretty confident to say that everyone knew.”

He also criticised Cummins’ response to Khawaja, saying he did not think the captain needed to make the exchange personal.