WADE’S STINT GOES FROM VERY BAD TO EVEN WORSE
STEVE Smith has cast serious doubt over keeper Matthew Wade’s chances of playing the second Test, as the pressure mounted on Australia to take aggressive, desperate gambles.
A forecast of incessant rain and thunderstorms for all five days in Chittagong has left Australia with no choice but to go on an all-out attack to take 20 wickets at rapid pace if they’re to save face and the series against Bangladesh, after Smith admitted the side were “embarrassed” at their first Test efforts.
The looming option for Australia to either play four bowlers, plus all-rounder Hilton Cartwright, or five specialists has left wicketkeeper Wade’s Test career hanging by the barest thread, with part-timer Peter Handscomb told to prepare for taking over the gloves.
If selectors make a final decision to back in Handscomb, he was set to practise his keeping at training last night although rain threatened to wash out Australia’s session.
Presuming there is a Test to play, Wade’s best hope could be if Usman Khawaja is cut instead. However, even an 11th-hour stay of execution for the wicketkeeper may not save him from the Ashes axe as Smith demanded more from the man behind the stumps.
“We are still talking about it,” Smith said. “It’s obviously an option. We have got Petey here who can keep and that will give us the option to play another spinner or another batter – whatever we want to do. We certainly have that option there if we want to take it.
“It certainly would be a tough call. I think when we are looking at Matty we just need a little bit more from him, with the bat in particular.
“He’s had nine Tests (back) now and (he has one 50). He knows this, he knows that he has to do a little bit better with the bat and he’s had those conversations.
“It’ll just depend which way we want to go on the balance of the team.”
Smith indicated Handscomb could soon come into play as a keeping option for Australia at ODI level as he prepared to take the gloves for Victoria in the one-day cup.
As of yesterday Handscomb had not practised his keeping at all on tour. However, Smith insisted he would be ready.
“We’ll think about it and if we need him to take that role then he will have a catch at training and he’ll be good to go,” he said.