Yahoo Sport'Not thinking': Matthew Wade savaged for 'ugly' moment
Australia were nicely poised ahead of the second day of the third Test at the SCG, but a Matthew Wade brain fade prompted swift criticism over his role in the team.
Wade, being demoted down the order after the debut of Will Pucovski, marched to the crease with Australia at 3-206.
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With Steve Smith looking aggressive and closing in on a century, Wade was expected to play second-fiddle and help steady the ship.
But after just 13 runs, Wade advanced down the wicket to Ravindra Jadeja and played an ‘ugly’ miss-timed shot.
The ball looped straight up and landed in the hands of Jasprit Bumrah.
To make matters worse, the young Cameron Green was brought to the crease just before lunch.
After struggling to find a run, Green was caught plum LBW in front on the last ball before lunch.
Former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting said Wade lacked match awareness during his dismissal.
“Matthew Wade needs to have a lot more game awareness...what he's done by getting out is expose Cameron Green to the new ball, a guy in his third Test, and for mine that is just not thinking enough about the situation of the game.”
Cricket great’s criticise Matthew Wade’s shot
Cricket legends Mike Hussey and Mark Waugh were also critical of Wade’s dismissal.
“He’s just giving his wicket away, they are low percentage shots,” Hussey said on Fox Sports.
“He exposed Cameron Green to the new ball just before lunch.”
Waugh echoed Ponting’s criticism that it was not the time to play the shot.
“It’s a Test match there’s no need to do that. It’s good to be aggressive but if the balls not there then you’ve got to pull out of the shot and knock it down for one,” Waugh said.
Commentator Kerry O’Keeffe pointed out Wade had struggled against the flight of the spinners at the MCG and now at the SCG.
“Matthew Wade was undone as he was in Melbourne by Ashwin’s flight,” he said.
“He advanced, he wasn’t to the pitch and it was an ugly slice across the line and the mid-on held well going back and Wade, so busy, but in the end undone by the flight of Jadeja and out for 13.
Fans were also critical of his role in the team after Travis Head was dropped for the third Test.
Outstanding stuff from Jasprit Bumrah. The cost of Matthew Wade’s dismissal still being felt by Australia. #AUSvIND
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) January 8, 2021
Just saw the Matthew Wade dismissal. I swear, how many chances will this bloke be given before they acknowledge he's not remotely close to test cricket standard?
— Nic Wishart (@wishart88) January 8, 2021
It’s time to discuss Matthew Wade. He’s 33. Ex keeper. Made 2 tons in the away Ashes (one in the last Test when the gas was out of the contest). Outside of that, done very little. Makes starts & that’s it.
Anyone keen on Khawaja for that 5 spot in the batting order?#AUSvIND— Philed Inn (@innphil00) January 8, 2021
Ricky Ponting on Seven: “Matthew Wade needs to have a lot more game awareness...what he's done by getting out is expose Cameron Green to the new ball, a guy in his third Test, and for mine that is just not thinking enough about the situation of the game.”#AUSvIND
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) January 8, 2021
Matthew Wade has failed to reach fifty in 11 consecutive Test innings, each of which were on home soil.#AUSvIND
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) January 8, 2021
Matthew Wade has played 34 Tests with a batting average of less than 31. He doesn't keep. He is not an investment for the future.
At some point he might play an odd winning knock but is he the best number five for Australia?#AUSvsIND #AUSvIND— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) January 8, 2021
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