Current ODI keeper Matthew Wade is poor with the gloves and has missed numerous catches and stumpings throughout his international career.
This could prove disastrous for Australia’s younger spin bowlers Adam Zampa and Cameron Boyce and could seriously damage their confidence.
The argument that is used when someone is defending Wade’s selection is that his batting justifies his position in the team. However after 61 ODIs, his batting average is 24.
The man who usually bats a spot below him James Faulkner has an ODI average of 39. After his performances for Australia over the summer, Wade shouldn’t be anywhere near the national side.
While domestic cricket is full of keepers who are all better with the gloves than Wade, the man who I believe should replace Wade in the ODI team doesn’t normally keep for his state yet is still a better keeper.
That man is Ben Dunk. Dunk played Twenty20 cricket for Australia back in 2014, he took four catches and two stumpings from his three matches which shows he is more than capable of keeping for Australia.
Picking Dunk could also shake up the batting order. He could come in for the inconsistent Aaron Finch and open the batting with David Warner, with Usman Khawaja batting at three and the rest of the team batting down a spot.
A batting line up might look like this:
1. Dave Warner
2. Ben Dunk
3. Usman Khawaja
4. Steve Smith
5. George Bailey
6. Glenn Maxwell
7. Mitch Marsh
8. James Faulkner
Dunk has had a successful domestic season, despite underperforming in the Big Bash.
He was the leading run scorer in the Sheffield Shield and averaged 60 during the Matador Cup. His performances saw him win the award for Tasmania’s best domestic player, the Ricky Ponting Medal.
If the Australian selectors want a player who can perform with the bat and the gloves all they need to do is pick Ben Dunk.
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