Runs now the name of Wade game

MATTHEW Wade admits he desperately needs runs as his Ashes hopes hang in the balance after being dropped during the five-match one-day international series in India.

The Australian wicketkeeper was left out of the third match in Indore before being given a reprieve in game four when the selectors axed allrounder Glenn Maxwell.

While the series was already lost, Australia posted a breakthrough win in Bangalore and played the final match in Nagpur overnight.

Wade said his batting had not been up to scratch in the ODIs and preceding two-Test series in Bangladesh.

“My performances have been summed up by me being dropped last game so there’s no point preaching about what’s already happened,’’ Wade said.

“The selectors have told me that I need to score some runs so I’ll have to do that if I want to get picked.”

Wade’s keeping came under fire after he conceded 30 byes as Australia lost the first Test to Bangladesh in Dhaka.

The criticism came despite opposite number Mushfiqur Rahim letting through 22 runs in his 28th Test on home soil.

“He keeps in those conditions all the time and he was pretty similar,’’ the 29-year-old Wade said.

‘‘The selectors haven’t told me they’ve got any worries about my keeping.”

Wade has not been included in the T20 squad for the series that follows the ODIs.