Australia have recalled paceman Jackson Bird for his prowess with the pink ball at the expense of local hero Chad Sayers for Thursday’s final Test at the Adelaide Oval.
Bird will join Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in Australian pace trio with under-pressure off-spinner Nathan Lyon completing the attack.
The Tasmanian fast bowler, who missed out in playing at his home ground when debutant Joe Mennie was preferred in the second Test in Hobart, has claimed 11 wickets at 22.73 in two floodlit Sheffield Shield matches this season.
"(Bird) took a‘five-for’ in the last Test match he played, he’s bowled well with the pink ball in the (day-night) Shield games that he’s played, bowled well in the nets out the back and deserves an opportunity," Australia captain Steve Smith said.
"Unlucky for Chadd missing out on his home ground but we’ve gone with Jackson Bird."
Bird is one of five changes to the Australian team that were crushed by an innings and 80 runs at the Bellerive Oval last Tuesday. There are also three debutant batsmen in Matthew Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson in the line-up. Wicket-keeper Matthew Wade also returns to the side at the expense of Peter Neville to claim his 13th Test cap.
"We’ve obviously made a lot of changes, and some young guys have come into the squad," Smith said on Wednesay. "This series has been disappointing the way it’s gone for us. I’m actually really excited about the young guys coming into the group and what they bring."
The Aussies will be hoping this group of debutants fare a bit better than the Hobart dup when batsman Callum Ferguson and bowler Mennie disappointed. Both players were left out of the squad completely for the this third Test.
Australia: David Warner, Matthew Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird.
Independent Media