Chadd Sayers knows his place as Test paceman in waiting but is tired of being the drinks waiter
WHY Chadd Sayers is cricket’s most ‘frustrated’ Test paceman in waiting.
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HE’D be a regular Test swing-man if born an Englishman but Chadd Sayers reconciles his lot as Australian cricket’s most over-qualified drinks attendant.
Sayers, 30, is a Test paceman in waiting but knows only injury or rotation of trio Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood or Pat Cummins will open a path to a home Test debut against England on Saturday.
“It does get a bit frustrating, you keep putting performances on the board and haven’t played a Test match,” said Sayers, pipped for an Adelaide Test debut against South Africa last year by Jackson Bird.
“I am excited to involved in my first Ashes series but mixing cordial isn’t what I want to do.”
Sayers snared 62-wickets wickets and Sheffield Shield player of the year status in 2016-17 but served as Australia’s perennial 12th man against South Africa and Pakistan. The trend continues this Ashes series.
Australia is expected to retain an unchanged line-up as Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood smash England’s Ashes defence with a bumper barrage in Adelaide.
However, national selector Greg Chappell doesn’t envisage Australia’s incumbent pacemen collectively lasting five Tests in six weeks.
Shaun Tait (2004-05) and Colin “Funky” Miller (1997-98) both won baggy greens inside 12 months of winning Shield player of year gongs which is a carrot for Sayers.
“All I can do is train the house down, perform in Shield cricket . I have done that over the past two or three years which will hold me in good stead if I do get the chance,” said Sayers with 243 first-class wickets at 23.55 in 57 matches.
“It is a lifelong dream and do it in Adelaide would be all the more special.”
Sayers claimed six wickets including Australia’s Test skipper Steve Smith in the Shield opener against New South Wales in Adelaide and attracts comparisons with England legend James Anderson.
“I have enjoyed watching his career, one of the best in the world at swinging the ball,” said Sayers of Anderson.
“He will be a handful here as he is in any conditions. At night time where it does swing around we will have to knuckle down against him.”
Sayers and Anderson employ a similar method for success magnified with the pink ball.
“It is challenging their defence, the batsmen hate the swinging ball so if you can pitch it up and make it swing they have to make the right decisions,” he said.
Originally published as Chadd Sayers knows his place as Test paceman in waiting but is tired of being the drinks waiter