Sayers starts at scene of Cummins' debut

Chadd Sayers has been handed a baggy green at the Wanderers, about six-and-a-half years after Pat Cummins launched his Test career in style at the intimidating South African venue.

Sayers and Cummins' paths to international cricket - and their respective strengths - could hardly be more contrasting.

But the pace pair combined with Josh Hazlewood in a new-look attack as the side captained by Tim Paine attempted to rebuild their image after the cheating scandal.

Cummins was rushed into Australia's Test team at age 18, earning man-of-the-match honours as he shocked a star-studded South Africa with sheer pace and steepling bounce in 2011.

Sayers took the new ball on Friday and his first delivery was a bouncer at Dean Elgar - but at 124 km/h.

Sayers made his first-class debut at age 23. He has since failed to play a single Big Bash League game.

The 30-year-old was presented with his cap by Adam Voges, who urged the red-ball specialist to stick to his strengths.

"I just said to him he's worked incredibly hard to get to this point. He's made a lot of sacrifices and should just be himself," Voges told cricket.com when asked about his speech.

"I've known Chadd for a long time, played against him a lot. We've had some terrific battles."

Sayers played a single Sheffield Shield game in 2010-11 then two the following summer and has since consistently startled state batsmen around Australia with subtle swing and seam movement.

Sayers' lack of pace has previously counted against him in the national selection debate, even after he topped the Shield wicket-taking list in 2016-17 with 62 scalps at an average of 19.

The right-armer wasn't even meant to be in South Africa. Jackson Bird and Jhye Richardson were selected before him in the touring party.

It prompted a public show of frustration from Sayers, who toured New Zealand in 2016 and came close to making his debut during the home summers of 2016-17 and 2017-18.

"I found out on social media so I guess that's one of the disappointing things," Sayers said at the time.

"I haven't had a phone call to actually find out why I was left out.

"It would be nice to know.

"Not to have had a chance to find out why is hard to take.

"I have tried to call him (chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns). Hopefully he gets back to me tonight."

Hohns and Sayers eventually kissed and made up, with the former delivering some good news when Bird was ruled out of the tour of South Africa.