With the Ashes just around the corner, players playing in the tournament want to make the most of the opportunity they get and have a strong case for themselves. Australia’s number six spot is up for grabs, and the two players who are most likely to get a shot to play at the position are Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Wade. Both the players were a part of the Australian squad which toured the subcontinent.
Wade will have a tough time getting into the side as he will have to better the performances of both Maxwell and another wicket keeping option Peter Nevill. Australian selectors have been indecisive about the wicket-keeping spot with Matthew Wade and Peter Nevill. Wade who has been preferred by the selectors off late has been inconsistent with both, bat and gloves behind the stumps. Wade has struggled with the bat and has averaged 20 since his Test recall last summer.
On the other hand, Victoria’s Glenn Maxwell is in a better place to get a call-up for the upcoming first Test beginning 23rd November. He scored 60 and 64 against South Australia last week which has improved his chances of making it to the Australian team.
Victoria has had a dismal start to begin their Sheffield Shield campaign as they lost their first match to Queensland and drew the second match against South Australia.
Peter Handscomb, who has now become a regular in the Australian squad leads the Bushrangers in the Sheffield Shield will play in his last practice match before the first Ashes Test said he knows what is needed from the side in the next match:
“Make more runs, there are good signs there and we know our bowlers are doing an unbelievable job, so it’s time for the batters to step up this game.”
Handscomb scored a half century against South Australia and is looking forward to his return to home spoil after the tour of India and Bangladesh. He said:
“It’d be good to get a little bit of time out in the middle and get used to scoring big runs again, which would be nice, but everything’s feeling alright, the balance feels good and my feet are moving which is the main thing.”