Jackson Bird out of South Africa tour, Australia include Chadd Sayers

Jackson Bird, who suffered a hamstring injury in the Sheffield Shield clash, will be out for three weeks and that has prompted Australia to include Chadd Sayers for the four-Test series against South Africa.

Paceman Jackson Bird was Tuesday ruled out of Australia’s Test squad for South Africa with a hamstring injury and replaced by fellow speedster Chadd Sayers.

Jackson Bird has been ruled out of the South Africa tour and Australia have included Chadd Sayers, who picked up 62 wickets in the Sheffield Shield in the previous season. (Getty Images)

Bird pulled his hamstring while bowling in a domestic match in Brisbane last weekend and is expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks, opening the door for the uncapped Sayers.

“It’s disappointing for Jackson, but it is exciting for Chadd at the same time,” Australian captain Steve Smith said. “It’s kind of a like for like sort of bowler, they’re pretty similar. They both stand the seam up nicely and Chadd’s been rewarded for what he has done in Shield cricket over the last couple of years, which is great.”

Sayers was the leading wicket-taker in the Sheffield Shield last season with 62 victims.

“He’s a difficult one (to face),” Smith added. “Because he is so short not many balls go over the stumps, which makes him a pretty handy proposition when the ball is seaming around. I think it is a good selection.”

Sayers joins fellow quicks Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood, Pat Cummins and Jye Richardson for the four-Test South Africa series which kicks off on March 1.