“We think the conditions in New Zealand will suit Chadd as much as anyone”
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Uncapped pace bowler Chadd Sayers and seamer Jackson Bird have both been included in Australia’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand next month.
Sayers and Bird, who will replace Steve O’Keefe and Scott Boland, will provide cover for the pace trio of Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle.
“Chadd’s got a terrific record in Sheffield Shield cricket, he was injured most of last summer but he started well again this summer,” national selector Rod Marsh said. “The season before he was rewarded with A team status in the side that went to England and did very well there. And it’s a matter of horses for courses, we think the conditions in New Zealand will suit Chadd as much as anyone. He’s a good bowler under conditions that nibble around a little bit, and we’re very happy for him to be chosen.
“Even last summer when he played earlier in [2014] against India A at Allan Border Field you remember that game where it appeared thousands of runs were scored. Chadd bowled a lot of overs and got five-for and his figures outshone any other bowler. He can bowl, he thoroughly deserves his selection.
“Under normal New Zealand conditions I think you have to bowl line and length, you’ve got to be patient. It’s something we haven’t always been good at, but we’ll have to get good at it if we want to win this series.”
There were no changes made to Australia’s batting line-up and Mitchell Marsh continues to remain the national selectors’ first choice when it comes to all-rounders.
“I’m not totally surprised but I’m very happy,” the 24-year-old said. “That’s the bottom line, they’ve done exceptionally well. Make hay while the sun shines. Their confidence is obviously up and it’ll need to be up, because New Zealand are a very, very good cricket team.”
Marsh also admitted that he is looking forward to the series as Australia last toured New Zealand in 2010. Furthermore, should Australia defeat the Black Caps, they will become the top-ranked Test team in the world.
“I don’t know what we’re going to get in New Zealand, but if you just look at the pitch they played on in the World Cup game in Auckland that did a bit,” Marsh said. “And the Sri Lankan series those did a bit, so you’re assuming they’re going to do a little bit.
“It’s exciting at the moment because if we win in New Zealand we could well go to No. 1, if we play decent T20 cricket we could well go to No. 1 there, and I think we’re that far ahead in one day cricket on the ratings it could be that we could get to No. 1 in all three forms.”
Australia Test squad: Steven Smith (capt), David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Chadd Sayers, Jackson Bird.