Matthew Wade has been handed a surprise reprieve to lead the Australian T20 side for the five-match series in India after the World Cup.
Wade, who said he thought his international days were over last summer after Australia’s failed T20 World Cup defence on home soil, will lead the side with Mitch Marsh being given a rest after he skippered the white-ball sides in South Africa recently.
The 35-year-old keeper, who was a late call-up to the South African tour when Glenn Maxwell returned home injured but did not play a game, is a curious selection given the Australian team is in need of youth in all three formats.
Josh Inglis has also been selected in the 15-man squad for the India series after he recently replaced Alex Carey as the ODI keeper but may have to play as a specialist batter with Wade the captain.
Steve Smith could be given the chance to stake his claim as Australia’s T20 opener, with the veteran to stay in India for the post-World Cup series alongside David Warner.
Travis Head celebrates after reaching his century. (Photo by Darrian Traynor-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Australia’s first-choice fast-bowling cartel of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will skip the series to return home to prepare for the Test summer, along with Marsh and fellow all-rounder Cameron Green.
Head, who blasted a ton in the World Cup on Saturday against New Zealand, is the only other Test player to remain behind in India for the series and with his experience as South Australian skipper and seen as a contender to replace Cummins as the ODI captain in the near future, the selectors could have given him a chance in a leadership role instead of bringing back a veteran like Wade.
Although there is some potential that he, Warner or Smith could also leave midway through the tour, with the final T20 just 13 days out from the first T20 in Perth.
After putting a heavy focus on one-day cricket in recent months, the matches will mark the beginning of Australia’s preparations for next year’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA.
Smith has indicated his desire to open in that tournament, firmly believing it is his best position in T20 cricket.
Overlooked for part of the home World Cup in the format last year, the 34-year-old blasted two centuries at the top of the order for the Sydney Sixers last summer.
He had then been told he would open in three T20s against South Africa in August and September, before a wrist injury ended that plan.
“It’s unfortunate, I wanted to go and open the batting in the T20s,” Smith told AAP at the time.
“Anyone would want to open in T20 cricket. It was cool to be able to show what I could do in the Big Bash.
“Hopefully I can replicate that internationally as well.”
Smith will likely be vying for the opener role against both Head and Warner during the tour.
Head made scores of six, 18 and 91 opening against South Africa in that series, while Warner was rested from it but plans to play on until next year’s World Cup.
Wade also did not play on the tour of South Africa, and at age 35 it was thought his international career could be over before his leadership made him an enticing option for selectors in India.
Young quick Spencer Johnson is also part of the squad, while Adam Zampa and Tanveer Sangha are the spinners with Ashton Agar still battling a calf injury.
“Matthew has captained the team previously, is a leader in the group and we look forward to him taking the reins for this series,” chief selector George Bailey said.
“Like Mitch Marsh in the South Africa series, this is another great opportunity to further deepen our international leadership experience and depth.
“It’s an experienced squad with a mixture of players who have had their first opportunity on the international stage and that we hope will continue to develop into important players in our T20 group.”
AUSTRALIA SQUAD FOR INDIA T20s: Matthew Wade (c), Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
with AAP
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
He fainted due to the Wade announcement
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Geez what is going on there? What’s he doing on a golf cart that has falling off and getting concussed? It’s quite bizzare to be honest. Sadly it’ll mean Marnus keeps his spot.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
don't let that doddering Dodemaide off the hook
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
Maxwell is so keen to give Green a chance he just threw himself off a golf cart to get him a chance against england - Sadly it looks like bits and pieces superchef Stoinis gets the Melbourne Stars green greenlight
13th Man
Roar Rookie
There is so much entitlement in this Australian team. It’s such a boys club - those that are in the inner sanctum with George, Ronnie and Patty get to pick themselves in anything they want. I just feel really sorry for guys dominating domestic cricket that just can’t get a look in because some blokes just get locked in regardless of form.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
Clarke made those comments and was one of many reasons why he was unpopular. but then he left. Watson didn't. He knew when to leave. Rogers didn't. Don't remember Mitch Johnson doing any talking. And it's the last point that underlines our disagreement - you don't get to make these statements. you shut up and play. you do well. you get selected. or you caveat them, if I am playing well and get picked, i'd love to be there. this isn't that. and i am becoming as fervently anti-McDonald and Bailey and Dodders as I was anti-Langer. i'm anti everything!!! except Watto, Maxwell, Burns. Eilish Sheerin.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
2. 15....
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
1. will respond re article first then on others in separate reply from cricinfo 2-3 days: "I've never really strived so much for leadership," he said. "I think you kind of look after your own backyard and those things kind of take care of themselves. "With the relationships that I've got with [coach] Andrew McDonald and obviously [head selector] George Bailey and all the coaching staff around the Australian team and selectors, whatever situation I was going to be going over to India in it would have been in a senior role anyway. "So it's just a bit of a cherry on top after a long career I suppose, to get another chance to go and captain in a country that is so much fun to play, it's going to be a hell of a time." Wade was one of Australia's heroes of the 2021 T20 World Cup triumph but he admitted on the eve of the 2022 edition in Australia that it could possibly be his last tournament in international colours. However, he has maintained his form and, more importantly, his hunger to keep playing at the highest level. He made the decision last summer to not play Shield cricket for Tasmania after the BBL and instead travelled to the SA20 to play with Joburg Super Kings. He then went to PSL for Karachi Kings before heading back to Gujarat Titans in the IPL after winning a title with them in 2022. He was with the squad throughout the 2023 IPL but did not play a single game. He then went and played in the Hundred with London Spirit. Matthew Wade and Josh Inglis have played together for Australia but Wade has always been the first-choice wicketkeeper Inglis has long been nipping at Wade's heels in Australia's T20 side and has already usurped Alex Carey as the No.1 ODI wicketkeeper-batter. Both men have been named in the squad to face India but Wade will be the captain and first-choice wicketkeeper. Wade said he was unsure though whether that would be the case for the T20 World Cup next year. "We've got the T20 World Cup coming up, whether I'm the number one keeper there and play, whether that be that I go as a spare bat/keeper I'm not 100% sure. I don't know if the selectors and the coaches are 100% sure. "But I want to be there. I want to play. If it ends up being that No.7 role as the wicketkeeper, I feel like I've probably nailed that spot down in the last few years for the Australian T20 side. So fingers crossed I get the nod in that but if I don't I'm really comfortable going and playing my role."
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I'd never call you Karen.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I didn't see any interview with Wade - did he actually say that? That's pretty surprising to me; whatever Wade's faults, he's always seemed a bit more modest than that. I'm not sure I can really get behind what you're saying more generally though Wikipetia. This is the twenty-four (24) hour news cycle, they do interviews, they get asked questions and they give honest answers. The journo's then emphasise the bits that get you riled up - like these comments. We click, they repeat. I also think you really need to consider the time and the place. The players didn't say these things under Langer, as Australia was re-emerging from the naughty corner. But they're out now and they have been for years, so the confidence is back. This was always going to happen, even if Langer was still hanging around like a bad smell. Michael Clarke made comments like this under Lehmann and I'm sure other recent cricketers have too. And to be fair to Clarke, Lyon and Smith, if you've played 100 tests for Australia, you kind of get to make these statements. It's up to the selectors to drop them.
DTM
Roar Rookie
I feel pretty strongly about this. I have tried to come up with a single reason why Wade would be a better option than others that are ready willing and able to do the role. I could not find anything. Call me a "Karen" if you wish but I have now written to CA to register my displeasure. I tried to be as polite as possible. No response yet (not even an acknowledgement) but I'll let Roar contributors know if I hear back.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
i am loathe to risk bringing up Langer etc but all this guff coming out of the mouths of players at the moment, I'm picking myself for the next WC (Wade); i'm going to england next time (Lyon); I should be batting at 3 not 4 (smith... anyone wonder why Marsh looked nervous....?) it's absolutely awful and speaks of either media-driven content fetishism that is going to bite someone bad and/or the greatest and most damaging sense of self-worth and entitlement, not seen since 2006-8 (then, from a much better team and in most instances much better players, but also including Langer). and of course the only one who really copped any tap from public or media was... you guessed it... warner, who basically said "I will play while they pick me, and I'm not going on after SCG (assuming they pick me)." it's all gone terribly wrong. Starting with the self-promotey The Test Vol 2.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I can forgive them for picking Smith, there's probably some contractual requirement that they field a team that the Indian public have some familiarity with; Wade isn't that though. It's just madness, it's the absolute perfect time to give Head a chance to prove his credentials as Aus captain. I also really can't understand the Smith thing. There's simply no reason why Head and Warner shouldn't open in this series and the fight to open at the WC next year be between Head, Warner and Marsh. It may be that Smith has been poorly handled in the T20(I) format his whole career - perhaps a la Mark Waugh he could have been a revelation as an opener. But that ship has sailed. I would have moved on from Smith in all white ball cricket as soon as this tournament ends. If he wants to spit the dummy and retire from test cricket, I don't see a problem to be honest. We have another easy summer this summer and by the time India turn up for 2024-25, they'll be much more beatable than last time and if we're still reliant on a 35 year old Smith to carry the batting, we may as well give up anyway.
Stewy76
Roar Rookie
Sounds like you've got a leg either side of the fence mate.. you've 'always liked him'.. he's a 'great player'.. but it's just an 'awful decision by the selectors'.. So are you backing him to be good for the team or aren't you?
matth
Roar Guru
Yeah good timing for my comment :stoked:
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Wade's not a good player anymore. He's not a good leader anymore. But he's a good mate forevermore. Pukeworthy, his comments about looking after his backyard. How does CA ever hope to develop new leaders at international level if they don't pick them. Turner is a case in point. Leads a successful team in the shorter formats. One of the best finishers in recent years. Overlooked for Sutherland as captain. Still don't know why. Do we need a wicketkeeper? Phillipe is doing fine. Jobs for the boys, again.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
yes maybe worth a look, copped some tap today though in the 50 stuff
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
And he doesn't have the averages and strike rate of Warner, who at least merits some recency bias
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
it's to make wade the incumbent replacement skipper so he has to be picked for the next WC I mean, the whatever of him. If I'm not there as the keeper/batter I'll be there as the spare bat. what. an. ego. what. a. disgrace.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Laughed at that..probably because it will happen now that we have mentioned it. But , I don't understand Wade's appointment. Not in front of Head and Inglis. But some 'new' blood there