The Australian squad to tour New Zealand for a two-Test series has been announced, with oft-overlooked bowlers Chadd Sayers and Jackson Bird the two biggest bolters.
The two pacemen come in at the expense of the uncapped Scott Boland, who has struggled in the one-day arena, and left-arm orthodox spinner Steve O’Keefe, who was brought into the side to play on the spin-friendly SCG pitch. O’Keefe is expected to make a return to the squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
Peter Siddle has also been named in the squad, having overcome an injury sustained at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, while selectors are hopeful James Pattinson will be available after he missed the Melbourne Renegades’ BBL match on Monday.
“We are delighted to welcome Chadd Sayers into the squad for the first time and his inclusion is thoroughly deserved,” National selector Rod Marsh said.
“Both he and Jackson Bird can swing the ball and operate at a lively pace and we believe both will be well suited to the conditions we are likely to encounter in New Zealand.
“We are hopeful James Pattinson will be able to overcome the shin soreness he has been suffering with and continue the fine form he showed in this summer’s Tests when he bowled at good pace, while Peter Siddle is on the verge of playing again following the ankle injury he suffered during the West Indies series.”
Sayers has been a standout bowler on the domestic scene for the last few years, but with coach Darren Lehmann’s preference for bowlers who operate at speed, the South Australian has struggled to get a look-in.
However Lehmann has been willing to concede pure pace may not be the best approach on New Zealand’s green wickets.
In terms of the Aussies’ batting, barring injury, the top seven is expected to be largely the same as throughout the summer, with Shaun Marsh in the squad keeping the pressure on.
“The batting line-up for the tour picks itself with all of the top order having produced excellent results during this summer’s Commonwealth Bank Test series against New Zealand and the West Indies,” Rod Marsh said.
“We know that New Zealand is going to come hard at us, that their players will want some form of pay-back for the Test series loss suffered in the series we played in this country late last year and that they will want to give captain Brendon McCullum a send-off into international retirement with a series win against their near-neighbours.
“The fact that we can move back to the top of the ICC Rankings if we win the series is an added incentive for us but the players will be hungry to do well and we are anticipating a tough but also, hopefully, a successful series.”
Australia Test squad
David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Shaun Marsh, Chadd Sayers
The two Tests will be played in Wellington from 12-16 February, and Christchurch from 20-24 February.
Targa
Guest
No I don't - I've only been to the West Island 3 times in my life (not counting being in transit). That's good for Sayers - many bowlers struggle with the strong winds and random gusts - especially in delivery stride.
Don Freo
Guest
Targa, do you know much about Aussie cricket? Sayers ONLY bowls into the wind.
Don Freo
Guest
Burns compared to Warner? Burns will not reach those heights.
Don Freo
Guest
Wicket keepers can catch flights too.
Bakkies
Guest
That wouldn't have occurred if the whole of January wasn't dedicated to Cricket that isn't relevant to preparing for test matches.
Craig Swanson
Guest
OK that would be the Blues v Warriors shield match. Strange place to play an Australian domestic match. Like the idea that we could have a couple of good additions to the Blues squad then. Namely Hazlewood.
Casper
Guest
Why all the questions about Burns, has as good a record as Warner at the same stage of his career. Also, he's been reared on Gabba seeming pitches so I reckon he's less risk than S Marsh who never moves the feet. Not sure the medium pacers can exert enough pressure on their top order.
Targa
Guest
There is a game at Lincoln (near Christchurch) between a couple of Aussie state tesms. The non-ODI players will play in that.
Simoc
Guest
logic is that NZ is less than 3 hour trip for most. Warner, Voges, Smith can keep for that long. It looks to be a recognition for Sayers as he is unlikely to get a gig. Though I'de prefer him over Siddle in the team it won't happen. Same with S Marsh, though I prefer him to Burns it won't happen. The incumbents contributed in the last winning test team so there's no reason to change.
Craig Swanson
Guest
What is wrong with this squad playing the one dayers? Seems these days there is a different squad for every format. Why truck in a whole new bunch of guys for three meaningless games when this squad could play and build momentum for the two following tests? Makes sense to me.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Is CA well. They have finally got it right. Gone it appears is this obsession with pace. Instead we have a bowling unit tailor made for swinging and seaming Kiwi pitches. Apart from Pattinson who hits the speed gun at 140 kph plus, the rest are line and length merchants who prefer building pressure thru guile and patience rather than blasting out batsmen.
Alex
Guest
I am really looking forward to listening to Smith & Co. drone on...and on...and on...zzz
Free 2 Fly
Guest
Marsh bowls pace which is more effective than Maxwell's spin. I agree that Maxwell is batting better at the moment but from a team balance perspective the 5th bowler needs to be a fast bowler.
Targa
Guest
Do these guys have much experience at bowling into the wind? Wellington is (arguably) the windiest city in the world so it can be s tough job bowling into the southerly at the Basin Reserve. The quicks would enjoy going downwind though.
Paul D
Roar Guru
At long last, the penny seems to have dropped in the selectors mind, that out and out pace isn't everything. You can't just go to all conditions with the same players, play the same game each time and expect to win. Took a long time to fall, but I'm much happier with Sayers and Bird going over there than say, Boland and Richardson.
Gus Paella
Guest
Happy with that squad. Wonder how Joe Burns will go...I just hope Brayshaw, Slater, Healy and Lee don't make the trip over.
Digby
Roar Guru
So the one day squad will be announced after the Indian series? The three one dayers are before the two tests. (Still really dissapointed about that) Be interested to perhaps see some new faces (to me anyhow) in the team at the basin. Still disappointed Starc isn't able to tour but thems the breaks. Looking forward to it.
jamesb
Guest
Very happy to see Sayers given a chance. About time the selectors are picking bowlers for appropriate conditions. I'd pick Sayers over Siddle, so that the kiwis could contend with the unknown factor of Sayers.
madmonk
Guest
What is the logic of one spare batsman and no spare wicketkeeper. Shaun Marsh is long odds to play as the selectors know their top 6. He will miss shield games so he can watch, it is only 3 hours away if there is an injury. Interesting to see if players will be flown back to play shield cricket if not picked in 11/12.
VivGilchrist
Guest
Great to see Bird and Sayers in the squad, good horses for courses selection. It's just a shame that there are no warm up games for them in NZ to push for selection. Can't help but feel the selectors will go for the status quo anyway.