South Australia’s wrecking ball Chadd Sayers can’t be ignored for Test selection, friends and foes say.
But the swing maestro is refusing to consider a baggy green cap despite his latest heroics.
“I’m just happy putting in good performances for the Redbacks,” Sayers said after leading SA to an incredible eight-wicket win against Queensland in their Sheffield Shield match on Monday.
“But if you keep doing performances like that then your name has got to be up there.”
After taking a first innings hat-trick, Sayers shredded the Bulls’ second innings with his best first-class figures of 6-34.
Sayers and his Redbacks teammates arrived at Adelaide Oval on Monday hoping Queensland – resuming at 2-128, some 203 runs ahead – would be sporting and set them a last-day run chase.
But within an hour of Sayers-inspired carnage, the visitors lost 8-22 to leave SA just 228 runs to win.
Redbacks strokeplayer Callum Ferguson helped ensure victory by backing up his first dig 100 not out with another polished performance, 65 not out, while Mark Cosgrove belted 78 and Tom Cooper was unbeaten on 68.
But it was Sayers who set tongues wagging.
SA captain Johan Botha, Redbacks coach Darren Berry and Bulls skipper James Hopes all sang the praises of Sayers, who has 126 first-class scalps at an average of 22.8.
“I don’t have to talk him up. His record talks himself up,” Berry told AAP.
“Sayers is not knocking on the (Test) door. Sayers has kicked the door down.”
Bulls skipper Hopes described Sayers as “a good one”.
“He’s a good bowler in these flat conditions and would probably be a better bowler in seaming conditions,” Hopes told AAP.
“He keeps coming all day, that is the beauty of him.”
Botha said Sayers undoubtedly had the skills for Test success.
“He has got a massive heart … he’s not the fastest bowler, he’s not the tallest bowler, but definitely he has got the biggest heart in our squad,” Botha said.
“If you keep taking wickets, you have got to be close.
“And the thing about Chadd is you don’t need to give him a wicket that nips around and does things … he will create problems for batters.”
CHADD SAYERS’ CAREER
* First-class record: 126 wickets at average of 22.8
* Sheffield Shield 2010/11: 2 wickets 47.50 (one game)
* Sheffield Shield 2011/12: 9 wickets at 23.44 (two games)
* Sheffield Shield 2012/13: 48 wickets at 18.52 (9 games)
* Sheffield Shield 2013/14: 36 wickets at 28.06 (10 games)
* Sheffield Shield 2014/15: 9 wickets at 7.56 (one game)
* Seven hauls of five or more wickets in a Shield innings
* Best bowling: 6-34 v Queensland, November 2014
* Hat-trick v Queensland, November 2014.
