Sayers firms for Adelaide Ashes debut

Nov 23, 2017 - 2:31 AM Swing king Chadd Sayers is firming to make his Test debut on his Adelaide home ground after being retained in Australia's squad despite missing the cut for the Ashes opener in Brisbane.

Australia overlooked Sayers and Tasmania's Jackson Bird for their first Test attack in Thursday's opening Ashes Test, opting for the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins at the Gabba.

Bird was released to play for Tasmania in their Sheffield Shield match against South Australia in Adelaide.

But Sayers will remain with the Ashes squad in a strong indication the Redbacks' seamer will make his baggy green debut at his beloved Adelaide Oval for the day-night second Ashes Test from December 2.

Sayers, 30, looked well down the pecking order when he missed out on a four-strong Test fast bowlers training camp in Brisbane a week before the Ashes opener.

However, last season's leading Shield wicket-taker appears primed for a Test call-up in Adelaide where he has claimed 87 first-class victims at 20.30.

It would finally end Sayers' wait for a baggy green after being 12th man last summer against South Africa and Pakistan.

Bird will chime into the Tigers' attack on day two of the Shield clash with the Redbacks.

Source: AAP