AUSTRALIA'S ASHES SQUAD: WHO IS CHADD SAYERS?

Redbacks seamer in line for Test debut...

Australia have named a 13-man squad for Brisbane and Adelaide and much like their England counterparts, some selections have raised eyebrows.

Matt Renshaw misses out to the in-form Cameron Bancroft, wicketkeeper Tim Paine - who hasn't played a Test since 2010 - has been selected ahead of the likes of Peter Nevil, and the uncapped Chadd Sayers is included.

Australian legend Shane Warne says the squad makes "Australia look confused."

So, other than having the name of a sophomore quarterback, who is Chadd Sayers?

Tail of the tape

Age: 30

Teams: Australia A, South Australia Redbacks

Primary role: Right-arm medium

Batting: Right-hand bat

First-class stats: 243 wickets at 23.55, BBI 7-46, BBM 11-76; 883 runs at 12.79, HS 39*

Highlights

Sayers topped the 2012/13 Sheffield Shield wicket-taking charts with 48 at 18.52.

In last year's competition he was ahead of the pack once more, taking 62 wickets at 19 - the third-highest tally in Sheffield Shield history.

Colin Miller holds the record of 67 (1997/98) and Shaun Tait claimed 65 in the 2004/05 season.

_{Watch: Sayers' golden summer}

Sayers has taken 14 Shield wickets at 25.07 this year with the scalp New South Wales and Australia skipper Steve Smith helping to put him firmly on the radar.

Why is he in the squad?

An exponent of late swing, Sayers could be in line to make his Test debut on home soil in the day-nighter at Adelaide. It remains to be seen if Australia’s premier pacemen will be able to cope with the rigours of a five-match Test series and the South Australian could be the one to benefit.

The big wicket of the Aussie skipper and didn't Chadd Sayers enjoy it!

Watch LIVE: https://t.co/7Ro68jdHov #SheffieldShield #SAvNSW pic.twitter.com/dBzL3tmOEQ

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) October 27, 2017

_{Sayers removes Steve Smith}

National Selector Trevor Hohns said of Sayers' selection:

“Chadd’s inclusion in the squad is with a view to the Adelaide Test and the conditions that we may see there.

“He swings the ball with good control and knows the conditions well at his home ground.

“He gives us this bowling option if required.”

Australia squad for the first two Ashes Tests

• Steve Smith* (New South Wales)
• David Warner (vice-captain) (New South Wales)
• Cameron Bancroft (Western Australia)
• Jackson Bird (Tasmania)
• Pat Cummins (New South Wales)
• Peter Handscomb (Victoria)
• Josh Hazlewood (New South Wales)
• Usman Khawaja (Queensland)
• Nathan Lyon (New South Wales)
• Shaun Marsh (Western Australia)
• Tim Paine (Tasmania)
• Chadd Sayers (South Australia)
• Mitchell Starc (New South Wales) 

 

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