Bird, Sayers in Test Squad for New Zealand Tour

Canberra: Uncapped South Australia seamer Chadd Sayers and Tasmania quick Jackson Bird have been included in Australia's 14-man squad for the two-Test Qantas Tour of New Zealand next month.

The pair replace fast bowler Scott Boland and left-arm orthodox spinner Steve O'Keefe from the washed-out final Test of the Australian summer, while Peter Siddle returns after recovering from an ankle injury he suffered during the Boxing Day Test.

Australia's selectors will be sweating on the fitness of Siddle and Victorian teammate James Pattinson, who missed Monday's KFC Big Bash League clash for the Melbourne Renegades with left shin soreness.

Siddle hasn't played competitive cricket since the Melbourne Test last month but is set to return for the Commonwealth Bank Victorian Bushrangers Shield match against the Tasmanian Tigers at the MCG on February 3.

Australia's speed stocks have been thoroughly tested this summer, with the retirement of Mitchell Johnson and injuries to pacemen Mitchell Starc, Patrick Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Siddle.

Australia Test squad: David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Shaun Marsh, Chadd Sayers

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