Tim Paine on Matthew Wade: The Australian Test captain talked about the possible inclusion of Wade in the Test side.
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Australia’s Test captain Tim Paine has expressed his opinion on the possible comeback of axed wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade into the Australian Test team for the upcoming series against India.
Wade last played a Test for Australia during their tour of Bangladesh last year. In the 22 Tests that Wade has played for Australia, he has scored 886 runs at an average of 28.58 and a strike rate of 47.91. Mediocre numbers such as these saw Wade making way for Paine in the Test side.
That being said, his recent run in the Sheffield Shield is likely to attain attention of the selectors. Currently at No. 3 in the list of highest run-scorers after two matches, Wade has scored 239 runs at an average of 119.50 and a strike rate of 52.06, including four half-centuries.
Also considering his form in the last season, Wade will make for a strong case if he continues to pile the runs at the domestic level. Unlike the selectors, captain Paine is noticing Wade rising up the ranks as a specialist batsman in Australia’s premier First-class domestic tournament.
Speaking to cricket.com.au, Paine spoke highly of Wade, saying that he is one of the most in-form batters in the country. “He’s one of the most in-form batters in the country at the moment so it might be an opportunity for him to bat a bit higher (against NSW) and get a big score,” Paine was quoted.
“I didn’t see a lot of him last year, but I was home for the pre-season and watched him bat in the nets. It’s as well as I’ve seen him bat and obviously over his career he’s batted really well,” Paine added about Wade, his teammate at Tasmania.
Citing the next month as critical for Wade, Paine asked for consistency from the 30-year old southpaw. “He’s in fantastic form at the moment and if that continues for another month or so, who knows? We’ve been pretty clear that if you’re scoring enough runs, anyone’s a chance at the moment,” Paine said.
Read some of the recent Twitter reactions on Paine below:
