Jackson Bird recalled as Australia change five for third Test
Wednesday 23 November 2016 09:47, UK
Middlesbrough-born Matt Renshaw will open alongside David Warner for Australia in the third Test against South Africa.
Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson will all play their first Tests at Adelaide Oval after selectors wielded the axe following the Hobart humiliation, which gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series.
Jackson Bird has edged out uncapped fast bowler Chadd Sayers for a place in Australia's pace attack after being overlooked in favour of debutant Joe Mennie for the second Test defeat in Hobart; he joins fellow seamers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in a raw team featuring three new batsmen for the day-night match.
Australia captain Steve Smith said: "Jackson took five-for in the last Test match he played, he's bowled well with the pink ball in the Sheffield Shield games that he's played, bowled well in the nets out the back and deserves an opportunity.
"Unlucky for Chadd missing out on his home ground."
Renshaw, raised in New Zealand, will partner Warner at the top, with Victoria wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Handscomb and left-hander Nic Maddinson fifth and sixth in the order.
The trio deposed Joe Burns, Adam Voges and Callum Ferguson, who all failed at Hobart, but the rookies' records in first-class cricket have been solid, rather than outstanding.
Hard-hitting New South Wales batsman Maddinson has played two Twenty20 internationals for Australia but brings a modest average of 37.65 in 59 first-class games.
But Smith has backed his state team mate as a player who could "tear any attack apart" on his day.
"I haven't seen a heap of him playing in the last couple of years but what I have seen he's playing the ball a lot later, a lot more under his eyes, which is a very good start," he said.
Matthew Wade, recalled in place of wicketkeeper Peter Nevill, is the fifth change from the 11 that crumbled in Hobart.
"I'm happy with the team that I've got," Smith said.
"This series has been disappointing the way it has gone for us but I'm actually really excited about the young guys coming into the group.
"I've almost felt a little shift over the last few days in attitude and energy from what the new guys have brought in."
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