Chadd Sayers' lack of pace the reason he isn't touring South Africa

Written By Sportal
#chadd sayers

Chadd Sayers was incredibly disappointed not to be selected in the Australian Test squad that will tour South Africa in March, and the quick wanted an explanation.

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Well, Trevor Hohns - the chairman of selectors - has provided one, but it may leave Sayers more bemused than ever.

The wily 30-year-old was told he isn't quick enough.


Sorry Trevor, didn't you just select Jackson Bird to play in the Boxing Day Test when Mitchell Starc was unavailable?

While the MCG pitch was terrible for all bowlers, figures of 0-108 off 30 overs don't inspire much confidence.

Sayers played a Sheffield Shield match for South Australia against Victoria before the Boxing Day Test, and took match figures of 4-101.

Also, as Fox Sports reporter Tom Morris mentioned, South African paceman Vernon Philander isn't quick, and his record is fairly handy when playing at home.

In his 25 Test matches in South Africa, Philander has taken 110 wickets at an average of 18.43 and a strike rate of 40.4.

Fairly useful.

"Trevor Hohns called Chadd Sayers and just told him he doesn't bowl quick enough and that's what it came down to," Morris told SEN Mornings.

"It is bizarre when you think Vernon Philander, who is arguably one of the best couple of fast bowlers in the world.

"[He's] effectively bowling low 130's, nibbling it around, which is what Sayers does, and they haven't taken him [the selectors] because he's not quick enough."

In fact, the Australian bowlers with the best records in South Africa are generally those who can move the ball off the seam (except for Mitchell Johnson, who was a different bowler against South Africa).

Stuart Clark, who is very Chadd Sayers-like, averaged a tick over 15 in South Africa, whereas Glenn McGrath took 29 wickets in eight matches.

Even Steve Waugh, who has pedestrian at best, averaged 15.09 with the ball in hand.

But okay Trevor, Chadd Sayers is too slow to take to South Africa.

The five paceman chosen to head to South Africa are Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson and Bird.

Considering we are set to play the world No.2 ranked Test nation, who is currently in the midst of destroying the world No.1 ranked nation (India), shouldn't we pick our best quicks?

Let's compare first class figures for all those mentioned.

Player Age Matches Wickets Average Best Bowling Strike Rate
Mitchell Starc 27y360d 76 296 26.2 8/73 46.7
Josh Hazlewood 27y17d 68 255 24.74 6/5 52.6
Pat Cummins 24y262d 20 77 26.48 6/79 54.6
Jyhe Richardson 21y127d 5 21 25.71 4/47 46.6
Jackson Bird 31y45d 67 278 24.69 7/45 48
Chadd Sayers 30y147d 56 246 23.56 7/46 53

Sayers feels hard done by, and deservedly so.

The stats say there is no reason why he shouldn't be on that plane.