Overlooked Sayers deserves answers: CA boss
Chadd Sayers’ form entitled him to an explanation for his omission from the Australian Test squad for the South African tour, says Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland.
Chadd Sayers has been a dominant performer in the Sheffield Shield over recent seasons. Photo: AAP/Richard Wainwright
A disappointed and frustrated Sayers was critical of selectors after being overlooked for the four-match tour in March, claiming on Monday he had not been provided clarity around the decision having first heard on social media.
He said head selector Trevor Hohns had not returned his call by Monday evening – some six hours after the squad announcement – and Sutherland believes Sayers deserves an explanation.
“I think Chadd is performing at a level at the moment and he has, to be fair, over the course of the last couple of seasons, been very, very strong and is clearly knocking on the door,” Sutherland told 3AW.
“He’s been in and around the team. He’s been selected in Test squads and I think he’s a player who should know exactly where he stands.
“And I think that if that hasn’t happened, it should be happening.”
South Australian Sayers, who has led the Sheffield Shield for wickets over the past season-and-a-half with 79 scalps, formed a part of the Ashes squad as a reserve for the opening Tests.
Speaking at the naming of the squad, Hohns admitted Sayers had been unlucky as fellow uncapped paceman Jhye Richardson, who has played five first-class matches, won a berth.
Sutherland said the selectors’ failure to inform Sayers did not indicate an on-going problem with their communication.
“I don’t think it’s a growing problem. I think it’s something there will always be mutterings about those communications,” he said.
“Selectors work hard on trying to communicate with players as best as they can – those who are in the mix, those who are in the team, those who are out of the team.
“From time to time, this can be an issue, but I don’t have a major concern about that.
“In fact, I think we’re probably as meticulous and organised and deliberate about those communications today as we’ve ever been.”
Meanwhile, former Test captain Allan Border defended selectors for their treatment of Sayers.
“You can’t be ringing everyone who misses out on the national team,” Border told Fox Sports.
“It was just an oversight. I’m sure that Trevor Hohns will give Chadd a call over the next couple of days just to explain his omission.”
– AAP
