Paceman Chadd Sayers says he now has a sweet relationship with Australian selectors after being drafted into the Test squad for the tour of South Africa.
Sayers is replacing fellow quick Jackson Bird, who strained a hamstring in Sheffield Shield ranks last week and will miss the four-Test series.
When the Test squad was initially announced, Sayers was miffed at not getting a call from Trevor Hohns to explain why he was overlooked.
The South Australian swing bowler sought out the chairman of selectors for the reasoning and they have patched things up.
"We're fine mate, we had a good chat about missing out, so we're sweet," Sayers told reporters on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old was rapt to receive a phone call from Hohns announcing his inclusion for the injured Bird.
"It's obviously nice to see his name pop up on my phone," Sayers said.
"As we all know, there's three big quicks there that are going to get the first crack as always - and they have been going brilliant over the last series.
"So I think I will be waiting for an injury but I'll be over there and putting my best foot forward."
Sayers, yet to win a Test cap, was summoned as a like-for-like replacement for Bird, captain Steve Smith said.
"It's disappointing for Jackson," Smith told reporters in Melbourne on Tuesday.
"But it's exciting for Chadd at the same time.
"They both stand the seam up nicely and Chadd's been rewarded for what he has done in Shield cricket for the last couple of years."
Sayers has taken the most Shield wickets in the past 18 months and has 246 first-class wickets at an average of 24.11.
Smith said Bird's injury was untimely given the Test squad would play a tour game in South Africa starting February 22, before the first Test starting on March 1.
"It's tough news for him," Smith said.
"He is a terrific guy to have around the group, he works incredibly hard.
"He's just a great guy to have on tour with you - a terrific team man.
"I certainly feel for him that he unfortunately has this injury at this time."
Australian Associated Press
