Under fire Australia turn to paceman Jackson Bird against South Africa
English-born opener Matt Renshaw, middle order batsmen Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson will also play in the day-night test in Adelaide
.png?itok=arIb17P0)
Jackson Bird will play as Australia’s third pace bowler in the day-night test against South Africa in Adelaide, captain Steve Smith said on Wednesday.
Tasmania’s Bird pipped Adelaide-born fast bowler Chadd Sayers to the last spot with under fire spinner Nathan Lyon holding on to his place in the pink-ball, third and final test which starts Thursday.
“Jackson Bird is in,” Smith said. “He took five-for in his last test match. He’s bowled well with the pink ball in the [Sheffield] Shield games he’s played.
“He’s batted well in the nets here and he deserves an opportunity. So it’s unlucky for Chadd to be missing out on his home ground, but we’ve gone with Jackson Bird.”
That means Australia will field three debutants in Adelaide in English-born opener Matt Renshaw, middle order batsmen Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson.
Smith said he wanted to play a spinner in Adelaide, which has a reputation for taking spin.
“We were always keen on playing a spinner in this game and that’s the way we’ve gone with Nathan Lyon,” Smith said.
Desperate Australia roll the dice to stop rampant Proteas after Hobart humiliation
Heavy defeats in the first and second tests have plunged Australia into crisis, prompting the chief selector to quit and a dramatic team shake-up with six players axed for the Adelaide test.
Australia team to play South Africa in Adelaide:
David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (captain), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird.
