Matthew Wade aims to provide versatility: The Australian batsman is eyeing the forthcoming T20 World Cup to be played at home.
Advertisement
Having made his international comeback during last year’s Ashes, Australia batsman Matthew Wade ended a nearly two-year long exile from the national team. In five Tests, Wade scored 337 runs at an average of 33.70 including two centuries to finish the series as Australia’s third-highest run-scorer.
Been hailed by coach Justin Langer for making “big runs” before the series, the southpaw proved his mettle to cement his Test spot. Having last played a T20I in 2016, Wade ended another streak when he took the field during the first T20I against South Africa in Johannesburg earlier this year.
ALSO READ: Matthew Wade to avoid verbal battle with Virat Kohli
Wade, who made it to the ODI squad for the home series against New Zealand in March, didn’t get to play a match as the series was delayed after the first ODI in the wake of the novel COVID-19 outbreak.
Matthew Wade aims to provide versatility in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Wade unveiled his desire of representing Australia in the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup at home. While Wade admitted that he toured South Africa due to all-rounder Glenn Maxwell’s absence, he further highlighted him batting at various positions in the Big Bash League.
“I played because Glenn Maxwell didn’t go on that tour. I’ve opened the batting a lot for the [Hobart] Hurricanes. They see that I am quite versatile. I’ve batted in both positions [no. 6 and open the batting] in BBL. I’ve done plenty of batting throughout the order. So, I’, comfortable wherever it sits,” Wade said in a video posted on ESPNcricinfo.
Wade, who made his BBL debut for Melbourne Stars in 2011, had joined Hobart Hurricanes in 2017. In 36 matches for Hobart, Wade has amassed 1,194 runs at an average of 39.80 and a strike rate of 150.05 including one century and 10 half-centuries.
Not shying away from accepting that he might get selected in the Australian World Cup squad as a reserve batsman, the 32-year old player aimed to provide versatility with whatever he is asked to do during the world event.
“Glenn would come back into that team because he’s one of the best players in the world at T20. I see myself as that spare player, that spare batter or keeper [who] can bat [at] all positions.
“That’s probably what I’m striving to maintain a position within the squad that if something happens throughout that tournament then I can bat from one to seven and keep as well so that gives the squad that versatility as well,” Wade added.
