Much like an edge, Matthew Wade has never held high office.
But with David Warner rested and Steve Smith gone for scans/beers, he has been momentously crowned as the most appropriate last resort for the Australian ODI captaincy.
Congratulations must go the Victorian gloveman for a stunning rise which has been nothing short of injury-forced.
Wade will be inaugurated as Australia’s 24th ODI skipper at Monday’s specially-convened ceremonial match in Auckland, an event also to be attended by other last resorts such as Aaron Finch and Sam Heazlett.
The coronation of a new national skipper is always a memorable occasion for the diehard Aussie public, and Wade’s is sure to be forever celebrated right up until his first unforced error.
However, despite fairly Bradbury-ing his way to temporary boss responsibilities, the wicketkeeper continues to polarise.
Even after Wade’s meritorious justification as Australia’s best available leader, a miniscule section of society outside of selectors and family continue to find reason to berate his existence.
No matter his gritty efforts, many tend to look past the positives and highlight the tiniest of misgivings like his poor performances or proximity to stump microphones.
Without a ball being bowled, Wade’s critics have been vocal in opposition of his appointment, somehow finding the breath to decry the decision despite hyperventilating from a summer of vociferously slamming his stuff-ups.
While the majority concede his captaincy is an unfortunate necessity, some anti-Wade extremists are even calling on authorities to reverse their decision and enlist an interim pot plant while investigations for voter fraud are undertaken.
But ever the professional, Wade is sure to continue doing the talking via quantifiable data.
Not only has the 29 year old fought doggedly for his position as understudy to the Assistant of the Vice-2IC, he’s also clocked the national selection panel’s alternative facts criterion with irresistible statistics in leadership, energy and presence.
But in light of Wade’s compelling numbers, we must also be wary not to discount the role played by the NSP in the captaincy decision.
They must be congratulated for shrewdly pinpointing the right man for the job from a gigantic pool of choices.
After a maligned summer for the selectors, this shows they can choose correctly provided there is only one plausible option.
While Wade himself has sledged hard to achieve captaincy status, he would be first to admit it was only attainable with the chaotic circumstances created by their gradual mental decay.
Kris
Guest
Aaoron finch would have been a better bet. Once again mediocrity is rewarded.
Andy
Guest
So little off topic but im watching the tennis and the commentators were really good for the last hour especially where they shut up, they were great when they talked but especially at the end where sometimes they wouldnt talk for entire games and just let the tennis speak for them. Cricket commentators take note please.
Sam
Guest
But why do you think our points about his errors happening too often for our national keeper aren't valid. You can say all keepers make mistakes but you can't think he is the best gloveman in the country. I can accept if you want him because of his batting..... i don't agree but i can accept it. But i think i like most roarers want the best keeper with batting being the trump card if keeping ability is similar.
Darren L
Roar Rookie
I agree. But this article is about the one day team.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Only because there are rarely spinners bowling. He keeps poorly to spinners, and in tests a missed chance is everything.
jameswm
Roar Guru
"Roarer self-styled pseudo-experts" You mean like yourself?
Darren L
Roar Rookie
As above, his keeping has been fine in one dayers. Test is a different story.
Darren L
Roar Rookie
I didn't compare Wade to Watson and Marsh directly, I said people mix up test and one day form. Wade is a very able one day keeper - the pitches are flat and not a lot of turn - his record is fine. His batting average and strike rate are fine for a number 7 and he always bats for the team. There are wicketkeeper batsman with higher averages but they are usually openers. As you said there is no real competition at the moment, he is a state captain and long term player - it's really a no brainer when the two leaders are not available. I'm not a fan of Wade as test keeper but one day is a very different job.
Bob Sims
Guest
Yep, serious, and no, not related, and yep, your comment exactly what I've come to expect from Roarer self-styled pseudo-experts.
jamesc
Guest
+1 wade is rubbish. the selectors are hell bent on their wade love affair. he will fail miserably in india and hopefully never be seen in national colours again.
jamesc
Guest
i agree whiteman, time paine and neville are all better wicketkeeper-batsmen then wade. There is no difference between wade holding the gloves and any other batsman doing it (warner, finch etc). In fact, wade is probably worse.
jameswm
Roar Guru
"Very good" is a pi$$ take. He bats well sometimes, and rarely keeps well. But he hasn't been horrible. The guy is picked as our national keeper and is a poor keeper. And you wonder why he cops criticism?
jameswm
Roar Guru
Is batting youself up the order to improve your chances of selection a recipe for a good captain?
jameswm
Roar Guru
Are you related to him? Saying "Nice Gary" well is more important than taking stumpings to you? Since he's come back into the test team he's missed catches and stumpings and barely scored a run. More tiny slip ups? Are you serious? When will our selectors select our no.7 based on keeping ability? A novel concept, I know.
BurgyGreen
Guest
I disagree that Wade "has been a very good one day performer for some time". I also wouldn't compare him to high quality ODI players like Watson and M. Marsh, who have very good records. Wade's ODI batting average of 27 is genuinely poor for an international keeper-batsman. He's a better Test batsman in my opinion, but his keeping is far more costly in the long game. Anyway, as he appears to have little competition at the moment in the ODI side, I think he's a fair choice as captain. He's been captain of Victoria for a long time and is an international regular (deserving or otherwise).
Timmuh
Roar Guru
That he is appointed as wicket-keeper, possibly. As captain, probably not. He has a decent reputation as captain, except by Maxwell.
Darren L
Roar Rookie
Wade has been a very good one day performer for some time and is a senior member of the team - an obvious choice in the circumstances. Don't confuse test and one day form - people did it for years with Watson and then Mitch Marsh. Seems to be a common theme with whoever is the latest national cricket punching bag. But I guess you have a point it's kinda like the Roar turning to Dane for a funny cricket column because Dan and Ben are on leave.
The Finger
Guest
...... doesn't Wade's appointment improve the Kiwis chances?
Timmuh
Roar Guru
With three constant stream of poor downs thrown at Wade, it's a shame he seems incapable of catching any of them.
Sam
Guest
No, but being judged as a wicketkeeper by these is exactly what should happen. Every keeper should be judged on this and if it isn't a relatively rare occurrence for them it should become an issue which costs them thier position in the team. I'm not anti-Wade i just want a good wicketkeeper.