Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade’s anticipated Tasmanian homecoming has been confirmed but there’s no guarantee he’ll be the Tigers’ first-choice gloveman.
The 29-year-old spent the past decade playing for Victoria, after leaving the island state for more opportunities away from the shadow of fellow ‘keeper-batsman Tim Paine.
Wade indicated earlier in the year he was keen to return home to Hobart and was on Thursday named in the Tigers’ list of contracted players for the 2017-18 season.
But with Paine also in the squad, coach Adam Griffith said he was yet to settle on his first-choice wicketkeeper.
“We’ll look at that,” he said when asked who had the front running.
“I still think Tim’s one of the best glovemen in the country.”
Griffith, who in April replaced the sacked Dan Marsh in the wake of a horror one-win Sheffield Shield campaign, said Wade’s decision was based around family.
“He’s a Tasmanian boy at heart so I think he’s been looking forward to the opportunity to come home again and set his life up down here,” Griffith said.
Wade joins paceman Jackson Bird as the only two nationally-contracted players in the Tasmanian squad.
Griffith said his young squad would tap into the duo’s experience, when the pair aren’t away on national duty.
Wade has trained in every pre-season session with the Tigers, which involved a gruelling hike across Tasmania.
Veteran batsman George Bailey will again captain the squad, which includes five new faces — among them futures league player of the year Tom Rogers from the ACT.
Spots in the Tigers’ top 11 are wide open ahead of the one-day competition in a little over a month, Griffith said.
“Those guys that are taking wickets and making runs will get an opportunity,” he said.
JGK
Roar Guru
Nice
JGK
Roar Guru
Paine has one century in a 12 year first class career so far and you want him batting in your Top 3?
George
Guest
Fingers crossed.
JGK
Roar Guru
That would only happen if Hazelwood was injured.
BurgyGreen
Guest
Yeah look me neither. It's a worryingly weak team and was well below first class standard last season.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I don't like your chances this year Burgy, that bowling attack isn't going to threaten to much. Bird and Boyce need to have big seasons for Tassie to get near the final.
BurgyGreen
Guest
1. Dunk 2. Wade (yes, really. Silk's form has been shocking and there are other batsmen I want to fit into the middle order) 3. Bailey (c) 4. Doolan 5. McDermott 6. Webster 7. Paine (wk) 8. Faulkner 9. Fekete 10. Boyce 11. Bird
Bucks
Guest
Wade probably 'keeps Paine out of the FC until the Tests start, but I see McDermott probably getting a start as a batsman and maybe even Doran as well. Dunk should be back opening.
Don Freo
Guest
This is the season Wade falls by the wayside.
Don Freo
Guest
McDermott starred with the bat last year. He'll play for sure.
Don Freo
Guest
...and Tom Triffitt (who is a "triffic" keeper).
Peter
Roar Rookie
Paine will be Wade's backstop.
BurgyGreen
Guest
Yeah I think this is pretty likely. Considering the state of Tasmanian cricket Paine will likely play as a specialist batsman, probably in the top 3.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Starc is unfit, but close. Ditto for Patto I think.
The Fatman
Guest
The ACB will make Wade the keeper
Rellum
Roar Guru
Wade will keep because the NSP and Howard will tell Tassie he has to keep. I would love to see what Griffith would do if he was allowed to pick his team without interference from the Aus setup.
AREH
Roar Guru
Beat me to it Troy - interesting because Tas already have several keeping options in their squad, so while this benefits Wade, someone else mightn't be as pleased! Surely Wade has to take the gloves in FC matches being the national keeper. I can see them including Wade and Doran in the Shield team, and possibly Dunk too. Doubtful on Paine and McDermott at this point
Mike Dugg
Guest
That's if we can actually get Patto, Starc, Cummins in the team at the same time. Its nice to have fantasy XIs.
jameswm
Roar Guru
How is it amazing? Who has ever said he is one of the 5 best glovemen in the country? Paine, Whiteman, Hartley, Carey etc... If Handscomb could keep pretty well and still bat at the same standard...now that would be nice. But I don't think he's done much keeping work. If he had, he could bat 6 and we could play Agar or Mitch Marsh at 7. Neither is a top 6 bat, but they would be fine at 7, esp with guys like Pattinson, Cummins and Starc to follow. And Patto isn't far off being a test level no.7. That would be very aggressive selecting. 5. Cartwright/Patterson/Head/Maxwell 6. Handscomb 7. Agar/Mitch Marsh/Pattinson 8. Pattinson/Cummins 9. Starc 10. Hazlewood 11. Lyon or if you wanted to bat deeper 5. Cartwright/Patterson/Head 6. Handscomb 7. Maxwell 8. Pattinson/Cummins 9. Starc 10. Hazlewood 11. Lyon
Troy Merritt
Guest
There's not only Paine, but Dunk, Doran and McDermott as well. Tassie has a lot of wicketkeepers in the squad. Perhaps it's a strategy. Deny the rest of the states a decent keeper and your batsmen won't get caught behind as often. I'm happy for Wade he gets to return home, it's tough being away from family for work reasons. I'm also happy for Maxwell, who won't have to bat below him anymore.