Trevor Hohns’ advice to Matthew Wade, overlooked for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka despite being the Sheffield Shield’s leading run-scorer, is to bat higher up the order.
There was speculation that former keeper Wade, who scored 571 runs at 63.44 in the first half of the Shield season, could be recalled as a Test batsman.
Wade represented an in-form option in the middle order with two Test centuries to his name.
But Hohns believes Tasmania’s captain, who batted at No.6 even when Tim Paine was in the side, should be further up the order if he’s to be considered as a specialist batsman.
“It’s fantastic to see him scoring a lot of runs. It wasn’t long ago that he was in our Test squad, he struggled and we dropped him,” Hohns said.
“He’s playing as a wicketkeeper-batsman for Tasmania and it just so happens we have a wicketkeeper-batsman in our Test side who is the captain.
“If Matthew wants to be considered as a straight-out batsman, it would be nice to see him batting a little higher up for Tasmania.
“That conversation has been had.”
Wade suggested last month he hadn’t “heard a word from the selectors” since being dropped from Australia’s Test and ODI teams.
“That’s how it is in the cricket world … it would have been nice to hear more from them,” he said.
Hohns also defended his panel’s treatment of Glenn Maxwell, who last year was overlooked for an Australia A tour of India then Test tour of the UAE.
Maxwell has opted out of this year’s Indian Premier League, declaring he has a burning desire to play Test cricket.
“Glenn hasn’t played Test cricket for us for a while and I guess right here and now, we are wanting him to focus on white-ball cricket with the World Cup coming up,” Hohns said.
“We’ve had several conversations with Glenn about all this and right now he is just content to focus on one-day cricket.
“However, he makes it very clear he would like to play Test cricket.”
anon
Roar Pro
Langer effectively called Maxie a liar in the press conference today. What Maxie said last year were "careless whispers", got furious with the reporter for challenging him. Ugly moment for a coach who has won 3 out of 25 games against legitimate cricketing nations.
anon
Roar Pro
I would have been happy to see Wade in for Handscomb, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh. Have Burns open, Wade down the order. You were wrong, wrong, wrong about the Marsh brothers. Shauny ends his career with a mediocre average of 34. Mitch Marsh will be given another chance to hang himself but sitting on 25 after a long Test career.
Ben
Roar Rookie
Interesting if it is Paine that blocked him getting picked
Ben
Roar Rookie
https://www.change.org/p/cricket-australia-select-new-selectors-for-australian-cricket
Extra Short Leg
Roar Rookie
It does seem odd that a middle order batsman was used as opener, when specialist openers were outperforming Finch at Shield level. It seems equally strange that a middle order batsman is averaging 60 odd and can't get a go because he needs to bat in the top order. Meanwhile, players with 30ish averages are gaining selection.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You and anon have 'lost the plot'. In your desire to gainsay everything Hohns says, you miss his point...which he explained really clearly.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
So you disagree with Hohns on this? Just so typical of you. Blind Freddy can see this one. Make runs when it's tough
Smuttsy11
Roar Rookie
Hohns has gotta go. So out of touch with modern cricket it's frightening. Runs are runs. Wade usually bats within the first hour anyway for Tassie anyway and on Australia's worst wicket.... and most English type conditions might i add. Why would Maxwell miss out because he is required for the world cup? Does that mean we shouldn't pick Khawaja, Starc, Cummins or Lyon as they should be playing white ball cricket to prepare for the world cup?
Paul
Roar Guru
At least Hohns has actually come out and given some reasons for these non-selections, even if they sound suss. He and the other selectors have spent most of the season either saying nothing or hiding behind Tim Paine as he tries to explain the inexplicable.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
If he had said to Wade, you have 40 test innings and you came up with an average of 28 so we are not considering you right now, that would be have been a more reasonable reasoning than - you bat at 5/6 and need to bat higher up... How is this man (Hohns) still in a job after al the reviews..? - Not because the selections are right or wrong, but it is the rationale he users which is utterly frightening.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Wade won’t be picked, they won’t want to ruffle the new captain’s boat with another test keeper around. Maxwell exclusion is just incomprehensible, won’t even try to guess on that one.
Bill
Guest
Just a lame excuse. As for Maxwell - it's just a farce. The selectors are inept and negligent.
AREH
Roar Guru
This guy has lost the plot. So Wade batting at 5-6 for Tasmania is an issue even though if he was recalled to the test XI now, he would likely bat at...5 or 6. Right.
anon
Roar Pro
That didn't stop them picking the middle-order Finch to OPEN Australia's batting. Hohns just makes it all up as he goes along.