Nay, Sayers: swing man misses out

SOUTH Australian swing bowler Chadd Sayers continues to be the unluckiest man in Australian cricket after missing out on an Australian contract.

Cricket Australia has announced its list of 20 male players who have been awarded national contracts for 2018-2019 and Sayers, who made his Test debut in the controversial series in South Africa this year, was a glaring omission.

The three South Australians who did get contracts were Alex Carey, Travis Head and Kane Richardson.

It was the first contract for Carey and Richardson.

National selector Trevor Hohns said they had been rewarded for their strong performances for South Australia.

“Alex (Carey) is the second wicketkeeper in this squad, alongside Tim Paine,” Hohns said. “He is a promising young player who has had a strong domestic summer and performed well in his international opportunities to date with bat and gloves.

“Kane (Richardson) has been rewarded for strong performances in the Sheffield Shield and his efforts when se- lected for Australia in limitedovers cricket, where he continues to impress.”

Fellow fast bowlers Jackson Bird and Sayers, who have played Test cricket in the past six months, were among those who could consider themselves stiff to miss out.

“Jackson and Chadd have missed out on this occasion, but they remain in the frame for Australian honours moving forward and can be upgraded if selected,” Hohns said.

Injured pace bowlers James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile also missed out and have been told to perform strongly in domestic cricket.

Overall, WA had six players, NSW four, Queensland, Victoria and SA three and Tasmania one.

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