PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 03: Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrates the wicket of Vernon Philander of South Africa during day one of the First Test match between Australia and South Africa at the WACA on November 3, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

After Australia's embarrassing loss to South Africa in the second Test in Hobart, the selectors decided to overhaul the squad, making five changes for the third Test in Adelaide.

South Australian bowler Chadd Sayers and Tasmanian Jackson Bird were called into the squad for the clash, and ultimately it was Bird who was given the nod, and Sayers missed out on a potential Test debut.

Australia won the Test and Bird performed well, but Sayers has continued his dominant Sheffield Shield form over recent weeks, prompting the question one again.

Which player deserves to grab the final bowling spot ahead of the first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane on Thursday?

The case for Jackson Bird

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Jackson Bird of Australia prepares to bowl during day one of the Third Test match between Australia and South Africa at Adelaide Oval on November 24, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)

The biggest advantage in Jackson Bird's corner is the fact that he was selected over Sayers during Australia's third Test win over South Africa.

Bird took three wickets and while he wasn't fantastic, Bird definitely didn't disappoint with his production throughout the match.

The fact that he was selected holds the 30-year-old in good stead, as the selectors may be reluctant to make changes to a side that broke Australia's five Test losing streak.

18 wickets at 26.05 from four matches has Bird in fifth for most wickets taken in the Shield so far this season, and is the most successful wicket-taker this year from players who haven't played every game.

With these numbers coupled with the fact that Bird played during that third Test it would likely be enough to keep him safe from most competitors, but given that Sayers is right on his tail, it shows just how impressive the South Australian has been.

[polldaddy poll=9606298]

 

The case for Chadd Sayers

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 05: Chadd Sayers of the SA Redbacks celebrates after getting the wicket of Peter Nevill of the NSW Blues during day one of the Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales at Adelaide Oval on December 5, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)

Chadd Sayers has been red hot this Sheffield Shield season, and there's no denying that.

The South Australian leads all wicket-takers through five rounds with 29 wickets at an impressive 18.58, and has the best figures in a match all season taking 11/76 against Bird's Tasmania last month.

Sayers took 8/93 against New South Wales in his most recent Shield contest, as the Redbacks paceman is peaking at the right time with a potential spot in the Test side up for grabs.

The 29-year-old is an uncapped player as well, which may give him a slight edge over Bird if the selectors are keen to experiment and see just what Sayers is made of.

His call up, whenever it may come will be a long time in the making, as Sayers leads all Shield wicket-takers over the past five seasons, and is one of only two players in the top 12 on that list to have never represented Australia.