Wade drops absolute sitter as Ashes hopes fade

Matthew Wade has done his Ashes chances more harm than good with an absolute shocker in Tasmania's big loss to Queensland.

The under-pressure wicket-keeper needs to impress national selectors in order to get the nod for this summer's home Ashes series.

But his performance in the JLT Cup on Tuesday wouldn't have impressed anyone.

Wade's day got off to a horror start when he dropped a regulation catch to give Test teammate Usman Khawaja a reprieve on 24.

Khawaja went on to make 41 to help Queensland post a huge total of 339, with Tasmania eventually losing by 83 runs.

Wade is under immense pressure to retain his spot behind the stumps in the Test side, with a number of former players calling for NSW gloveman Peter Nevill to be recalled.

Nevill is arguably the best keeper in Australia and showed his prowess with the gloves earlier this month with a world record eight dismissals in a one-day game.

Unfortunately for Wade his day didn't get any better when it was his turn to bat, getting out in very strange fashion.

Wade managed to make 38 in Tasmania's chase before he attempted to sweep a Mitchell Swepson delivery and suffered a bizarre mishap.

He looked to have a hit the ball twice as the ball ballooned off the back of his bat straight to short third man, despite trying to hit it behind square on the leg side.

"That is one of the most bizarre dismissals you will ever see," Cricket Network commentators said.

Australian greats Adam Gilchrist and Michael Slater recently called for Wade to make way for Nevill in the Ashes.

"I think we go back to the guy who's (the best) gloveman," Slater said.

"I read some quotes from Ian Healy. Now he knows a little bit about 'keeping and he said 'let's go for the gloveman, let's not make excuses for the top six batters doing the job and expect the 'keeper to do what Gilchrist did'.

"It's like looking for another Warnie – you don't find them. Get the guy who can take all (the catches).

"(Nevill) averaged over 50 for NSW last year. There's nothing wrong with his batting.

"He might not be an aggressor but he does a fantastic job. He might not talk as much as Wade but I'm not sure the talk from Wade is appealing to some of his teammates."