The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Is Matt all you got? Australia Wades into a search for new ODI keeper

Matt Wade could become a specialist bat. (AFP / Glyn Kirk)
Roar Rookie
4th June, 2016
11

Australia’s search for its next great ODI keeper should begin now.

– – In many ways, the ODI side has reason to be very satisfied with its results in recent times. After claiming the World Cup at home early last year, Steve Smith’s outfit have not lost a series – barring a 2-1 loss to New Zealand in February 2016.

Their dominance has extended a comfortable 11-point lead at the summit of the ICC’s ODI rankings, and they will kick off their tri-series campaign on Monday morning (Australian time) with a well-earned sense of confidence.

Australia’s success of late has been founded on a fantastically balanced side stacked with intimidating batsmen and sharpened by the devastating pace and swing of Mitchell Starc.

No less than three genuine allrounders in Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh and James Faulkner provide the side with priceless flexibility.

The attack, often consisting of three right-arm and two left-arm seamers backed up by the handy fingerspin of Maxwell has most bases covered.

Perhaps the only exception is the lack of a regular spinner, but tri-series squad members Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon will be keen to stamp their authority in the Caribbean.

There is, however, one area which Australia has for some time struggled to adequately fill: that of the specialist wicketkeeper-batsman.

Advertisement

Since the retirement of Brad Haddin following the 2015 World Cup, Australia has relied on the services of Matthew Wade, the Victoria captain with three Test centuries to his name.

However, after 61 ODIs Wade’s record with the bat is cause for concern. His average of 24 would barely satisfy a bowling allrounder, and his strike rate of just 77 is insufficient for a number seven batsman whose primary role is to provide late-innings acceleration.

As Wade additionally fails to offer excellence with the gloves, Australia may look to consider alternatives in the near future.

The search for a replacement, however, may prove difficult. The domestic scene boasts some dependable older candidates and a number of promising younger ones, but perhaps no truly outstanding prospects at present.

Of the older group, 29 year-old Ben Dunk’s sublime straight drive and consistent performances for Tasmania might draw the attention of selectors, though since a solitary T20 International series in 2014 he has seemed to slip off the radar.

Peter Nevill, the preferred Test keeper, is an excellent keeper and technically correct batsman, but his record at the domestic level leaves a lot to be desired.

The younger candidates include the highly-rated Peter Handscomb, whose flair and legside prowess with the bat brings to mind the unorthodox style of Steve Smith. With Victoria, however, he has had only limited opportunities to take the gloves.

Advertisement

Yorkshire-born Sam Whiteman was earmarked long ago for international honours, but has yet to produce a truly breakout season in any format, despite fairly consistent form in the Sheffield Shield. He is regarded by many as a wicketkeeper first, and it remains to be seen whether his batting can provide the sort of dynamism preferred in the limited overs formats.

Though there appears to be no obvious heir apparent, it is in Australia’s best interests to begin searching now for an excellent, or at least dependable wicketkeeper.

The ICC Champions Trophy returns in 2017, and it makes sense to allow a long-term keeper to settle in before the World Cup cycle heats up once more.

So, Roarers, is Matthew Wade still the man? Or can Australia do better?

close