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SA's paceman Sayers slays Tasmanian bats

With paceman Chadd Sayers taking six wickets, South Australia has dominated Tasmania on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield game in Adelaide.

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Source: AAP


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Chadd Sayers has destroyed another batting line-up, but doesn't believe national selectors picked the wrong South Australian fast bowler in the Test squad.

Sayers tore through Tasmania on Friday, taking 6-32 as the Tigers were bundled out for 98 on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.

In reply, the Redbacks are a commanding 2-222 at stumps, with opener Jake Weatherald (110no) making his maiden first-class century.

SA's lead of 124 runs came after Sayers skittled the Tasmanians with his pace partner Joe Mennie after being released from Australian 12th man duties in the first Test against South Africa, bowling superbly to take 2-16 from 13 overs.

But Sayers overshadowed his mate with another top-shelf swing bowling display to press his own Test claims.

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Sayers, who toured New Zealand last February with the Australian squad but didn't play a Test, is chuffed Mennie has been drafted into the national squad.

"I'm happy for Joe to be picked in the Test squad for the first two (Tests)," he said.

"He has also been in good form over the last few years so I'm just happy for a South Australian to be involved."

Sayers now has 179 first-class wickets at the imposing average of 24.22 - and 12 scalps in three Shield digs this season.

But he's none the wiser about his spot in the national pecking order.

"You'd like to think you were close but I haven't really had a chat with the selectors so I wouldn't know," the 29-year-old said.

"Performances are going to get you in there. And by doing that you are probably going to win games for your state as well.

"I'm just concentrating on winning games for South Australia at the moment. You do that and keep taking wickets, the rest will take care of itself.

"If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen, and hopefully we can win a Shield final."

Sayers' feats gave SA the upper hand for consecutive wins to open their Shield season, and opening batsmen Weatherald and Kelvin Smith then cashed in.

The duo reeled in Tasmania's meagre total by themselves, posting a 161-run opening partnership before Smith fell for 58.


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