Test return not on Wade’s radar
FORMER Test wicketkeeper Matthew Wade doesn’t expect a national recall anytime soon despite a stellar start to the Sheffield Shield season with the bat.
Wade takes over from George Bailey as captain of Tasmania on Tuesday when they host South Australia at Bellerive Oval.
The 30-year-old was touted as a bolter for Australia’s Test squad for the four-match series against India beginning December 6 after amassing 412 runs at 82.40 from four Shield matches this season – third highest of all players. His most recent innings was a well-constructed 137 in the Tigers’ loss to Victoria last week.
“I got a text from (Australia coach) Justin Langer after the last game saying ‘well done’,” Wade said yesterday. “That’s about the only contact I’ve had from an Australian point of view since I was dropped.
“So I’ll just keep doing my stuff. If it comes, it comes. Obviously I’d love to play but it’s probably a long way down the track.” Wade was dropped from the Test side before the 2017/18 Ashes series after a lean run with the bat.
On Friday he had the Shield captaincy thrust upon him when Bailey, 36, decided to step down to focus on batting.
It means Wade takes charge of a Tigers’ side that this week includes current Test captain Tim Paine, the man who replaced him at Test level. Hobart-born Wade, who’s played 22 Tests, said he was honoured to skipper his home state.