Chadd Sayers hopes for Ashes call; selectors are nonchalant

Young fast bowler Chadd Sayers is rearing his wish to play the Ashes against England this season. His desire is viable as he picked up 62 wickets in a season in domestic and started the summer in an identical fashion. The 30-year-old is at the peak of his bowling career and is doing his best to grab a position in the Australian team during the home Ashes series starting from November 23.

If the selectors give him a slot for the Ashes series, he will join the trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins — whose selection for the series is certain since they are the mainstays for Australia’s bowling attack.

However, he is yet to receive a call from the selectors. Despite having an incredible Sheffield Sheild last season and an opening round performance against the star-studded New South Wales (NSW) where he picked up six wickets including that of Australia skipper Steve Smith.

Even after such a good performance, he hasn’t heard from a selector in the last 12 months. Sayers’ name was drafted into the Australian squad 11 months ago but that didn’t become a reality for him. He imagined that he would have a dream debut at his home ground, Adelaide Oval, during the day-night Test match but wasn’t a part of the squad that took the field.

Swing bowler

The veteran is known for his swing but he doesn’t match the speed of Starc and can’t generate bounce like Hazlewood. Many believed because of the lack of spicy pace in his bowling the selectors haven’t paid heed to his records.

“I haven’t spoken to them since the Boxing Day Test,” Sayers told RSN927 on Wednesday. “I don’t think it’s the speed gun, or I hope it isn’t. I guess it’s (that) the bowling crop in Australia at the moment is pretty good and I’m just going to have to bide my time,” he added.

“It does frustrate you a little bit, I guess, when you perform well for a few seasons and not get a crack at what you want to achieve. But the boys who play for Australia, the bowling stocks, have done well. It’s hard to argue with the guys they’re picking at the moment,” Chadd said.

“For me it’s just about putting good performances in for South Australia, trying to win the games of cricket and just being ready and fit if a spot does come up.”

Jackson Bird and Nathan Culter-Nile are first choices for Ashes

There is hardly any chance of Sayers cutting through with Jackson Bird being Australia’s perennial 12th man in recent time. And it is understood that Bird will be Australia’s first choice over Sayers.

Alongside Bird, another fast bowler on the radar rad is Nathan Coulter-Nile, while the Victorian veteran Peter Siddle is also expected to feature in the squad because of his experience and pace.

“It’s very kid’s dream isn’t it, to play for Australia?” Sayers continued. “I want to play cricket at the highest level and that’s the next level. I’m still driven to play for Australia but to do that I’m going to have to perform and win South Australia games. That’s at the front of my mind as well,” he stated.