Chadd Sayers says injuries dealt his Ashes dream massive blow but Australia A tour provides hope

What loomed as Chadd Sayers’ Ashes tour de force was sabotaged by injury but the swingman refuses to give up on his Test journey.

South Australia’s Chadd Sayers (Right) celebrates after taking the wicket of Tasmania’s Tim Paine at Adelaide Oval. (AAP Image/David Mariuz).

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What loomed as Chadd Sayers’ Ashes tour de force was sabotaged by injury but the swingman refuses to give up on his Test journey.

Sayers’ swing and nibble with the Dukes ball in England appeared the ideal fit Australia’s 2019 Ashes campaign but untimely, successive knee and hamstring injuries cruelled the paceman.

South Australia’s Chadd Sayers in action. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

Chadd Sayers of the Redbacks celebrates after dismissing NSW’s Nick Larkin in October. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

“I haven’t played enough cricket to push my case,” said Sayers, who made his Test debut 12 months ago at Johannesburg in the aftermath of Cape Town’s ball-tampering scandal.

“We’ve got some blokes who have stepped up, got Test matches under their belts and performed as well. It’s going to be hard to break into that squad.”

Sayers pipped Jhye Richardson to replace an injured Mitchell Starc against South Africa at The Wanderers but started four first-class matches since.

Sayers, 31, underwent right knee surgery last April and required a clean out in November. Sending down 37 overs on return against Tasmania in Adelaide last month caused an inevitable hamstring strain.

“It’s been a frustrating season, but I think I’m out the other end and hopefully the knee is feeling good as it was against Tassie just after Christmas,” said Sayers.

“I had nearly three months off without playing a first-class game. Coming back from injury was hard.

“Then to bowl 37 overs in that game, that was probably what caused the little hamstring injury.

“I felt like I’d done all the work, but I guess there’s no match-like intensity.”

Western Australian Richardson covered Josh Hazlewood against Sri Lanka in two Tests this summer while seamers Peter Siddle, Jackson Bird, Chris Tremain and James Pattinson head the queue for Ashes reserve squad slots. South Australian Daniel Worrall’s Ashes hopes have been stymied by back and hamstring injuries.

Sayers must make a statement against Sheffield Shield favourite Victoria starting on Wednesday at Karen Rolton Oval.

Subsequent selection on Australia A’s tour of England through June and July would provide a last ditch platform to impress national selectors before August 1 Ashes opener in Birmingham.

“Probably an Australia A tour is more realistic at the moment,” said Sayers.

“I’m looking forward to getting back out there. I guess if I play my best cricket I would hope I can put my name forward.

“It will be good to get the Duke back in the hand.”