Darren Lehmann Says Chadd Sayers Likely To Go To South Africa If Jackson Bird Is Out

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Darren Lehmann says that South Australian quick Chadd Sayers could be in line for a return to the Aussie Test squad if Jackson Bird isn’t fit for the trip to South Africa.

Bird injured his hamstring bowling in Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield loss to Queensland, having to leave the field after pulling up sore.

Bird’s status is unclear, with two scans so far proving inconclusive.

He is due to be assessed again in Melbourne today.

"Jackson's being assessed by the medical staff today so we'll make a call on that in the next 24 hours and see how he goes," Lehmann told cricket.com.au today.

"We'll replace him if required. The logical (replacement) is probably Chadd Sayers, but we'll sit as a selection panel and work that out.

"We'd like a fully fit squad to go into a tough tour. So if he is to tour, we want him playing the tour game."

Bird has had a strong Sheffield Shield season, and was rewarded with a cap in the MCG Ashes Test.

Sayers has long waited in the wings but has yet to debut in the Test side.

He has taken more Shield wickets than anyone in the last 18 months, including a massive haul of 60 last season.

The Aussies leave for South Africa on Thursday.

12 February 2018




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