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.
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.
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?
Rocko
Roar Guru
Pick your keeper first and batsman second. Absolutely agree Wade should go - he almost cost Nathan Lyon's Test career with poor technique behind the stumps. Must be Nevill of the current group. We have been very very spoilt to have had Gilly and Haddin over the last 15 years.
Will W QOS
Roar Pro
It has to be an opportunity to blood a new guy - is Nevill the player to be at the next World Cup or just 'best option' until then? Somebody really needs to shine at Domestic level to displace Wade. Yes he is not in form, but he has a decent record. Keeping is improving (note I have been all for him being replaced for years!! I am a Chris Hartley fan!!). Whiteman, Doran, Ben McDermott all have future star about them - they need some runs on the board. Let Nevill keep working on what matters - being a reliable test keeper who can average in the 30's (dare I say 40s??) and forget about the One Day stuff - does it really matter if it's not a World Cup?
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
I agree with Craig. These wickets will take turn, so Neville should be there getting in some practice. What will they gain by having Wade there? Nothing really.
Andy Hill
Roar Pro
I would go for Neville in all forms. Wade should give up the gloves and focus on his batting as his keeping has always been suspect. Whiteman seems to be next in line after Neville as a genuine keeper. Handscomb didn't always take the gloves for Victoria when Wade was out of the team- young Sam Harper often got the gig, so I doubt he is a serious contender. As a batsman, however, he could by vying for the number 5 spot in the test team once Voges retires. His list A record doesn't suggest he would be pushing to make the Aussie ODI team though- he only averages 35 with a strike rate of 73.
Asher England
Roar Rookie
Hi Craig, thanks for the reply. My comment regarding Nevill's domestic batting record was a reference to his List A average of just 22.18 (worse than Wade's ODI record) from a good sample size of 43 innings. I don't think it's unreasonable for the selectors to be reluctant to pick him for that reason. Having said that, I do personally rate him as a batsman and believe he'd be able to step up. That last ball six in one of the WT20 matches was great.
craig swanson
Guest
Sam Whiteman is the heir apparent Test keeper in my view. CA obviously agree otherwise they would not continue picking him in A sides. Yes his first class batting form has been up and down. It is, though, his prowess with the gloves that will see him take Nevill's place when he retires. If Handscomb continues to improve he could well be our long term white ball keeper.
craig swanson
Guest
How dumb was it not to pick Nevill for this tour with the Sri Lanka test tour just around the corner. Is a couple of days at a keeper camp at the cricket academy enough for a test preparation? Besides Nevill is a competent enough white ball keeper/batsman. Hard to work out CA logic sometimes. The man averages 42 in first class cricket. How is that leaving a lot to be desired?
craig swanson
Guest
When I saw Wade's name on the list for this tour I was astounded. Why is he still considered by CA to be the regular ODI keeper when he has never done enough with both gloves or bat to warrant the position? Is this a way for CA to appease Wade for dropping him from the test side when Haddin returned? It seems once you are in the Australian setup it takes a Bobcat to remove you. The same happened with the perennial underachiever of Aussie cricket over the past decade, Shane Watson. Time to pull the plug on Wade's international career.
w ch
Guest
""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."" - yet in the T20 game in India, the last one which Australia lost against India, Nevill hit a 6 and a 4 in his only two deliveries before the innings ended.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
I'd pick Nevill for now. His T20 record is supposedly weak, but he performed very well at the World T20. Quality players rise to the challenge when they get opportunities at higher levels. As a Victorian, I'd be quite happy for Wade to move to another state. Have never rated him.
Bazo
Guest
I think Nevill is the man to go for all forms. His keeping ability speaks for itself but his limited overs stats don't really show much he's improved in short form. Remember seeing him getting quick runs for us at the end of the innings in a couple of the WT20 games when he was required to bat. He'd bat at 8 after Faulkner so it's not like we're losing anything.