Jason Gillespie backs Pat Cummins to play in Adelaide Test, says Chadd Sayers is close to debut

NATIONAL selector Greg Chappell concedes it’s near impossible for Australia’s pace trio to last the distance this Ashes but Jason Gillespie believes Pat Cummins should start if fit in Adelaide.

Pat Cummins of Australia prepares to bowl during day three of the First Test.

NATIONAL selector Greg Chappell concedes it’s near impossible for Australia’s menacing pace trio to last the distance this Ashes but Jason Gillespie believes Pat Cummins should start if fit in Adelaide.

Test great Gillespie wants Chadd Sayers to get a crack at Test cricket this summer after a stellar 58-match, 243-wicket first-class apprenticeship. However, new Sussex coach Gillespie expects Cummins to front in the inaugural Ashes Test under day-night conditions if purring.

“If he is fit and wants to play he will play I would have thought. If you are fit and strong, feeling good, play a game. Brett Lee hated being asked to rest,” Gillespie told The Advertiser.

Cruelled by back and foot injuries, Cummins has fronted in six Tests since a 2011 debut against South Africa in Johannesburg. Tear-away Cummins, 24, emerged unscathed from five Tests against India and Bangladesh this year.

How Australia handles its pacemen in a five-match series over six weeks will provide insight into the influence of its high performance arm.

“I know there has been a rotation policy in the past and that turned to informed player management which is translation for rotation,” said Test great Gillespie, who will provide expert commentary for Triple M this Ashes series.

“We will see how the hierarchy go about it and what the sports science department decide what is best for the bowlers.”

Selectors will be mindful Mitch Starc was grabbing his ankle in the latter stages of the first Test in Brisbane and limped out of the India tour after the second Test in March with a foot stress fracture. Josh Hazlewood sustained a side strain in the first Test against Bangladesh at Dhaka during August.

Triple M commentators Greg Blewett and Jason Gillespie on the Adelaide Oval Roof Climb.

“The chances of getting three fast bowlers through five Tests in the time period isn’t that good so we have to weigh all those things up. It is hard to change a winning team but we will look at the conditions, pink ball and whether Chadd Sayers comes in,” Chappell told SEN.

Skipper Steve Smith will be tempted to finish off England with all out speed and chin music on a slick Adelaide deck but Sayers will make his mark, eventually, says Gillespie.

“I think Chadd will be the one that comes in if one of the big three misses out. We would just love to see Chaddy play a Test, performed well for a number of years now and if that call comes it would be great,” said Gillespie.

England seamer James Anderson remains the No.1 bowler in ICC rankings ahead of Hazlewood in sixth spot but Gillespie says the Australia is now pushing for best paceman status.

“He is mounting a pretty strong case, really like him,” said Gillespie.