When Tim Paine was unexpectedly thrust into Australia’s XI for the ultimately successful Ashes series almost 12 months ago, many felt it may have all but closed future Test ambitions for Tasmanian teammate Matthew Wade.
It was, after all, Wade whom Paine replaced. The selection has paid dividends since, given Paine’s efforts with the willow and behind the stumps, even if the thought of him captaining the side was nothing short of unthinkable.
Now here we are, after two rounds of a new Shield season, with the discarded Wade one of the most in-form batsmen in the country.
It is, of course, that time of year where fans become selectors, trying to squeeze a dozen candidates into half as many spots and where buzzwords like ‘Bolter,’ ‘Incumbent,’ and ‘Shock’ are incredibly overused.
The 30-year-old recently expressed his desire to return to test cricket solely as a batsman, particularly given the success of Paine in the job he may have several quality years left. So far, Wade has mounted a solid case.
Not only has he begun this season with 239 runs comprising four consecutive half-centuries, but he finished his 2017-18 season on fire, scoring 108 in a losing final to Queensland, capping off a season where he cracked 654 runs at 43.
It’s fair to say he was able to respond to his test omission in the best way possible.
I was critical of his recall in November 2016 during desperate times following the well-known Hobart debacle.
Whatever it was Wade brought to the dressing room, it seemed to be rated highly.
Selectors called it ‘mongrel,’ and there’s no question Steve Smith preferred it alongside him behind the wicket.
It was somewhat boorish behaviour at times, even if it brought us ‘Nice Gary.’ Despite this, we might see a more tempered version of Wade should he be recalled under the calm leadership of Paine as Australia enters a new era of on-field etiquette.
He would need to acquire himself far better with the bat this time if his 22-Test career is to resume. His omission last year was hardly a surprise, passing fifty just once across sixteen innings during that stint.
Now, at a time where at least one and possibly more places in Australia’s top six remain heavily uncertain, the first-class experience and two test hundreds boasted by Wade may be ideal.
I don’t believe he is one of the best six batsmen in Australia, but it would be a sound example of picking a player in form with a weight of Shield runs to support.
George
Guest
Wade is a horrendous keeper. Did you see his two drops off skiers in the JLT Cup?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
As you said, he finished the 2017/18 season well and he has started this season well but at nearly 31, will the selectors look to him? As a keeper, no way as a batsman, I doubt it. Other young guns are also scoring.
AREH
Roar Guru
You're right in the sense that he's yet to have a huge innings like the ones already seen by Harris, Heazlett, Lehmann and Cooper, but he also bats down the order, and there's been talk of promotion since. Two not outs among his innings also. I don't think he should be ahead of any of Burns, Maxwell or even S.Marsh as a pure batsman, but I do think he is pressing a substantial claim.
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
Purely batsman? No. If he returns as a wk-batsman then i am all for it. Make Finch Captain.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He's struggling to make more than 50. Quite a few have done way better already. I'd go for a coffin rather than a case for Wade.
Ozibatla
Guest
Nup sorry no go for Wade. Especially when the man himself all but put a line through his own test career.
JamesH
Roar Guru
*ton
JamesH
Roar Guru
I don't think it's a terrible idea, although I'd like to see him score more runs in the leadup to the first test. He started the JLT Cup with a tone but then scored three ducks in his next five digs. He needs more than a couple of good matches to leapfrog others in the queue. As for the cultural review, I don't think we can use that as a reason to rule out wade. Being a bit chirpy behind the stumps doesn't mean he's somehow part of a broader cultural problem. The guy is experienced enough (and knows Tim Paine well enough) to pick up on the way in which the test side is trying to move forward.
Gus O
Guest
All for selecting in form batsmen who are currently in the runs. And... the irony of suggesting Wade the day after the release of the CA culture review, when one of the widely stated reasons for Wade’s re-selection was because of his agressive presence behind the stumps and... sledging. Re-selecting him now would trash the recommendations of the review, or at least be portrayed that way in the media which would have the same effect.