Swing king Chadd Sayers deflated after another Test snub

BLINDSIDED Chadd Sayers concedes missing Australia’s South Africa Test squad feels like the biggest ‘kick in the guts’ of his first class career but resolved to respond in trademark fashion.

Chadd Sayers of South Australia celebrates the wicket of Ashton Turner.

BLINDSIDED Chadd Sayers concedes missing Australia’s South Africa Test squad feels like the biggest ‘kick in the guts’ of his first class career but resolved to respond in trademark fashion.

Sayers, the closest Australia has to Proteas swing king Vernon Philander, was snubbed in Australia’s 15-man squad with unheralded rookie Jhye Richardson preferred.

Sayers, 30, hoped he was a strong chance of touring the Rainbow Nation having featured in Australia’s Ashes squads against England, taken 246 first-class wickets at 23 and tailor-made for seaming pitches in South Africa.

Chadd Sayers of South Australia bowls against Western Australia.

“I take away that I am further down the pecking than I thought. The conditions would have suited me over there, I thought I was in the mix,” Sayers told The Advertiser.

Sayers is hurt that there was no communication or feedback from selectors on his tour snub. Sayers will seek clarification from selection chairman Trevor Hohns.

“I haven’t heard from the selectors or been given a reason. I thought I did ok this year. I don’t know what I have to do. I do wish Jhye good luck but its hard to match up five first class games with 250 first-class wickets,” Sayers said.

Sayers has once again been short changed at the selection table without explanation despite the hard currency of first class wickets, Sheffield Shield’s player of the year award with 62 in 2016-17 and 17 at 24 this campaign.

Selectors are obsessed with the 145km/h velocity Richardson provides should express duo Mitchell Starc or Pat Cummins breakdown. However Richardson, 21, has just five first-class games for Western Australia to fall back on if blooded against the formidable Proteas.

Sayers is behind star seamer Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird in the Test queue for bowlers who can dry up runs with unerring accuracy.

“It has happened a number of times. I still want to play for Australia, want that baggy green so will continue to play at the top level and keep getting better,” said Sayers.

“We have the top three bowlers but if there was to be an injury I thought I would have been able to do a job over there.

“I am a bit deflated, it is like a kick in the guts at the moment but will bounce back and perform like I have been over the past few years.”

It could have been a case of out of mind out of sight for red-ball specialist Sayers.

Strikers keeper-batsman Alex Carey used the Big Bash League platform to illustrate his exceptional glovework and crisp hitting. Richardson has been on show for Perth Scorchers and debuted for Australia against England this month along with Carey.

“If you are in the eyes of selectors on TV, I guess you have to be a better chance than someone who is training and playing grade cricket,” said Sayers.

“There is nothing else I can do. I am training as hard as I can and getting as many overs in as I can. I feel at the top of my game.”

Sayers must wait until February 8 for another crack at first-class cricket against Victoria at Adelaide Oval. Failure to win a Test call up has sharpened Sayers’ focus on bagging the Redbacks first Shield title since 1995-96.

“Hopefully I can dominate for South Australia, take wickets and we make a Shield final,” he said.

Sayers was buoyed by close mate Carey’s inclusion in Australia’s Twenty20 squad for next month’s tri-series against England and New Zealand.

Australia’s Test players - except David Warner - will not feature in the T20 series making Carey the standout choice to replace Tim Paine behind the stumps.

Only fellow T20 debutant Darcy Short with 504 runs at 62 has more BBL runs than Carey’s 368 at 61 for the Strikers this season.

“He has been a professional ever since he came back to cricket and his performances warrants him being picked,” said Sayers of former GWS midfielder Carey.

“He has been great to watch and for him to have a 50-over debut for Australia was really pleasing and showed he belonged at that level.”