Wade gets a Cup call-up
MATTHEW Wade will come into Australia’s World Cup squad, with Usman Khawaja ruled out and Marcus Stoinis racing the clock to face England in their semi-final showdown.
Australia woke up to grim news on Sunday in England, with Khawaja’s hamstring strain confirmed and Stoinis in serious doubt after scans had revealed another side strain.
Australian officials will likely lodge paperwork on Sunday with the ICC, applying for Wade to come into the squad as Khawaja’s official replacement. Mitch Marsh is also on standby in Birmingham to come into the XI for Thursday’s semi if Stoinis is ruled out in coming days.
“Uzzy has got a hamstring strain, so he will be out for three to four weeks which is a real shame,” Australia’s coach Justin Langer confirmed. “We will have to work hard on getting him up for the Ashes now.
“And Marcus has another strain in his other side. We are working through that at the moment and have to make a decision on him in the next 24 to 48 hours.”
Wade’s call-up will mean selectors must make decide between him and Peter Handscomb at Edgbaston. Wade hasn’t played a ODI for Australia since 2017, but has hit 355 runs at an average of 88.75 and a strike rate of 182.05 for Australia A in four matches. As Langer put it on Sunday, he is in “career-best form”.
Handscomb didn’t play against South Africa but was the first replacement to be called into the squad last week when Shaun Marsh broke his wrist. Either way, it will likely result in Steve Smith moving up to first drop, with the replacement batsman playing at No. 4 or No.5.
“Matthew Wade is coming up who is in great form,” Langer said. “He’s had a great year back home but has just scored two hundreds in one-day cricket so he is in great nick.
“We know England will play the leggie in the middle overs, maybe Moeen (Ali) — it depends if he plays or not.
“Players who can play spin (will be looked at). Pete does that really well. He’s been in really good form playing in the middle order for Australia A.”
Another option might be for wicketkeeper Alex Carey to move up the order, with his 89 on Saturday taking him to 329 runs for the competition — a record for anyone batting No. 7 or below.
“That was something discussed leading into this game,” Australian captain Aaron Finch said. “It will be discussed leading into the next game, no doubt. He’s played a couple of crucial innings for us in some difficult circumstances and difficult conditions.”