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How George Bailey's injury boosts Matt Wade's Ashes hopes

Australian Associated Press

George Bailey’s pain could be Matthew Wade’s gain, with the veteran’s injury presenting a golden opportunity for his Tasmania teammate.

Wade has a chance to press his Ashes claims as a specialist batsman with a move up the order for the Tasmanian Tigers in Sheffield Shield.

Former Test wicketkeeper Wade has plundered runs in the Shield and Big Bash League this season, but it hasn’t led to a national call-up.

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said in January Wade needs to bat higher at first-class level to be considered for a Test berth.

Bailey’s injury has opened the door for Wade to bat higher up the order. Pic: Getty
Bailey’s injury has opened the door for Wade to bat higher up the order. Pic: Getty

With Tigers’ veteran George Bailey sidelined with a shoulder injury, suffered in the Hobart Hurricanes’ semi-final Big Bash League defeat, Wade will take the opportunity to 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-scorers with 571 and scored 592 for the Hurricanes in the BBL, second behind opening partner D’Arcy Short.

Wade has been in superb touch during the current Sheffield Shield campaign. Pic: Getty
Wade has been in superb touch during the current Sheffield Shield campaign. Pic: Getty

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.