Australia bring in novice swing duo for NZ series

SYDNEY: Australia played to the conditions on Wednesday by selecting the novice swing bowling duo of Chadd Sayers and Jackson Bird in their squad for the two-match Test series in New Zealand.

Bird, who played the last of his three Tests in England in 2013, and uncapped Sayers are part of a 14-man squad that will be aiming for a series win across the Tasman Sea next month to take them back to the top of the world Test rankings.

Sayers claimed 145 wickets at an average of 24.82 in the Sheffield Shield this season and his ability to move the ball could be a key factor in matches in Wellington and Christchurch, which are expected to be played on grassy, seaming pitches.

“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 in a statement.

The duo replace Steve O’Keefe and Scott Boland in a pace attack that has some injury doubts ahead of the first Test in Wellington on February 12.