Former Australian skipper George Bailey has backed Matthew Wade’s selection for the forthcoming Test series against India. Australia’s gloveman Matthew Wade has been in fine form in the recent past. The southpaw batsman has scored 412 runs at an average of 82.4 and thus he is in the top three run-getters of Sheffield Shield.
Meanwhile, Tim Paine is the captain of the Australian Test team and also takes the wicketkeeping duties. On the other hand, Mathew Wade had last played for Australia against Bangladesh.
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Matthew Wade had taken the wicketkeeping duties for Tasmania against Queensland and Western Australia. However, he went on to play as a specialist batsman after these encounters.
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The left-hander has scored five fifties in the domestic circuit and thus he is batting at the top of his game. He also had a top score of 137 while playing against Victoria. However, his knock went in vain as Tasmania lost the match, though he was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Therefore, George Bailey believes the in-form Wade should be in contention for the Test selection.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the way he’s going about his cricket,” Bailey was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.
“If you’re looking at those numbers he’d very much have to be in the mix for a Test. He’s a good fielder, just pick your six best batters, simple. He’s in complete control of his game.”
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The former Australian skipper believes Matthew Wade has batted with guile with the lower order to help Tasmania out of troubled waters.
“That’s been the most pleasing thing this year. I don’t think we’ve given him great situations on a number of occasions. His ability to go through the gears, to start his innings, accelerate when he needs to,” Bailey said.
The first Test match will take place at Adelaide from December 6.