Ashes hopeful Chadd Sayers’ burning desire

CRAFTY Ashes hopeful Chadd Sayers is coming off a brilliant 62-wicket season and has started the summer in identical fashion. The 30-year-old is at the peak of his powers and putting pressure on the presumed Australian pace attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins — who appear nailed on to feature in the Ashes opener at the Gabba, barring injury. In reality, he’s waiting by the phone for a call-up. But no one is calling. Incredibly, despite last year’s incredible Shield season and an opening round performance against the start-studded NSW team in which he took six wickets at 17.33 including that of Test captain Steve Smith, Sayers hasn’t heard from a selector in nearly 12 months.