Cricket great's savage slap down for in-form Matt Wade
Aussie cricket great Mark Waugh has brutally hit back at suggestions the in-form Matthew Wade deserves a Test recall.
Former Test wicketkeeper Wade has plundered runs in the Sheffield Shield and Big Bash League this season, but it hasn’t led to a national call-up.
Australia coach Justin Langer has captain Tim Paine as his first choice gloveman and chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said in January that Wade needs to bat higher at first-class level to be considered for a Test berth.
Cue the unfortunate injury for teammate George Bailey in the Big Bash semi-final that has presented Wade with the opportunity to do just that.
Following that mishap, Wade will move up from No.6 when the Shield resumes this weekend.
“The situation probably dictates that I need to go up and take a bit more responsibility for the team. I’ll do that,” the 31-year-old said.
“I’ve batted three for Victoria a couple of times. It doesn’t worry me too much.
“Whether it’s four or five, I’m not 100 per cent sure yet.”
Wade is the leading Shield run-scorer with 571 and scored 592 for the Hurricanes in the BBL, second behind opening partner D’Arcy Short.
He’s genuinely put himself in the conversation when it comes to discussions about a recall to Australia’s Test batting lineup.
Despite the incredible statistics in his Wade’s favour though, Waugh insists he shouldn’t be considered for a Test recall.
You seriously think Matthew Wade is a test match no.4 or 5 at 31 yrs of age. Has had a very good season and should be in the frame for white ball cricket but not red ball cricket. Has played 22 tests with a batting average of 28.
— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) February 20, 2019
Wade recently vented his frustration at Australian selectors for sending mixed messages but also said he was no longer “hung up” on being snubbed.
Tasmania is second-last on the Shield ladder but are within striking distance of the top two with four games to play, starting on Saturday against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval.
Wade said he’d moved on from the Hurricanes’ BBL semi-final loss to the Melbourne Stars.
“We got outplayed. If we had have played our worst game … really mucked it up, I would have been a bit more disappointed.”
Wade will relinquish the gloves to returning Test captain Tim Paine and hopes the break can help his side iron out some patchy form.
“It does feel like a new season, which is a good thing. You can re-boot and go again,” the Tigers’ skipper said.
“We need to win some games. We’ve had opportunities to win games but we haven’t taken them like we did last year.”
The last-placed Redbacks will be without Ashes hopeful Daniel Worrall, who has been left out of their squad as a precaution given his recent comeback from a back injury.
With AAP