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Jackson Bird will finally get to pull on the baggy green this summer, having edged out Chadd Sayers for the third seamer’s spot in Australia’s XI for the third and final Test against South Africa starting tomorrow.
Captain Steve Smith confirmed Bird, who was controversially left out of the squad for the first two Tests in favour of Joe Mennie, will be part of a three-pronged pace attack at the Adelaide Oval alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
“[Bird] took five-for in the last Test match he played, he’s bowled well with the pink ball in the Shield games that he’s played, bowled well in the nets out the back and deserves an opportunity,” Smith said.
“Unlucky for Chadd missing out on his home ground but we’ve gone with Jackson Bird.”
Despite being out of form, Nathan Lyon has retained his spot as the side’s specialist spinner.
The match will see Australia blood three debutants, with Queensland’s Matthew Renshaw, Victoria’s Peter Handscomb and New South Wales’ Nic Maddinson all set to make their first appearance in the Test arena at the Adelaide Oval.
“We’ve obviously made a lot of changes, and some young guys have come into the squad,” Smith said.
“I’m actually really excited about the young guys coming into the group and what they bring.”
Renshaw forced his way into the side with a commanding performance for Queensland in their most recent Sheffield Shield match. The left-hander scored a patient century in the first innings against South Australia and followed it up with 50 runs in his second dig at just under a run a ball.
The 20-year-old will open the batting alongside vice-captain David Warner against the Proteas, and become the youngest batsman to make his Test debut since Phil Hughes in 2009, also against South Africa.
Handscomb also demanded selection with an excellent outing in first-class cricket, scoring his maiden double-century against New South Wales at the SCG in the Sheffield Shield.
The Victorian, who has enjoyed a surge in form since making the shift from wicketkeeper-batsman to full-time batsman, will be partnered in the middle order by the hard-hitting Maddinson.
While Maddinson hasn’t enjoyed the first-class form of Handscomb and Renshaw this Shield season, Smith backed the explosive left-hander to make the most of his unexpected selection.
“On his day he can tear any attack apart,” Smith said.
“The selectors have given him an opportunity to come in and play at number six and sum up the conditions and play with a bit of freedom at the same time.”
Faf du Plessis, who was cleared to play in the day-night Test despite being found guilty of ball tampering for the second time in his career, will name South Africa’s XI at the toss.
The third and final Test of the series will begin at 2:30pm (AEDT) at the Adelaide Oval.
David Warner
Matthew Renshaw
Usman Khawaja
Steve Smith (c)
Peter Handscomb
Nic Maddinson
Matthew Wade (wk)
Mitchell Starc
Josh Hazlewood
Nathan Lyon
Jackson Bird
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