Michael Clarke, former Australian skipper has criticized selectors for dropping batsman Matthew Wade from the South Africa tour. The 39-year-old has hinted that national selectors are biased.
The decision of national selectors to drop Matthew Wade from the upcoming South Africa tour has not gone well with former Australia captain Michael Clarke.
Michael Clarke: Matthew Wade Didn’t Score Many Runs But Was Better Than Joe Burns Who Played First 2 Tests Despite Low Scores
The 39-year-old took shots at the selectors and accused them of being biased. Michael Clarke did not shy away from saying that incumbent opener Joe Burns, who featured in the first 2 Tests versus India, was backed by the selectors despite his repeated failures. Further, Michael Clarke pointed out that Matthew Wade took the responsibility of opening for Australia in the absence of David Warner but the selectors still showed him the exit door despite scoring 172 runs averaging 21.62.
“What happened to that loyalty they showed to Joe Burns when it came to Matthew Wade,” he said.
“Where has Matthew Wade gone? You batted out of position for them, went to the top of the order, did the right thing for the team, gets back. I know he didn’t score as many runs as they would like but hang on, one minute we’re hearing ‘the incumbent Joe Burns, support, support, support’ then Matthew Wade out the door,” Michael Clarke said on Sky Sports’ Big Sports Breakfast.
Middle-order batsman Travis Head was dropped from the playing XI in the third Test versus India after David Warner returned at the top of the order and Matthew Wade had to come down. Travis Head was kept out of the team in the 4th Test as well but finds himself in the squad for South Africa Tests.
Michael Clarke: Travis Head Was Not Good Enough 2 Weeks Ago But He Is Back In Squad And Considered Better Than Matthew Wade
Michael Clarke expressed ‘confusion’ over the situation and threw numerous questions on the selectors. However, Matthew Wade may be dropped due to his better form in T20Is as Australia will simultaneously play against New Zealand in T20Is at the same time when Test side competes against South Africa. Matthew Wade scored 145 runs in 3 T20Is against India averaging 48.33.
“I’m confused. Travis Head was not good enough two weeks ago but now he is back in and better than Matthew Wade who was good enough. Did they get the selection wrong two weeks ago when they dropped Travis Head for Matthew Wade?,” he added.
“Has Travis Head played a game since he was dropped… to fight his way back into the team? So how has he gone back into the team? This is what confuses me and this is why you regularly hear people having a crack at the selectors. They regularly leave themselves open.
“Explain why Matthew Wade is not in the squad, explain why Travis Head is back in, explain how you cannot discuss Tim Paine’s performance. They’re either not telling the truth or whoever is having these conversations are missing a trick,” Clarke concluded.
Australia are due to play three Tests in South Africa. The tour was originally scheduled for February and March, but the dates have yet to be locked in due to concerns over coronavirus. The five-game T20 tour of New Zealand runs from February 22 to March 7, clashing with South Africa, meaning a host of players are not available. Matthew Wade was the main casualty from the India series, with the squad otherwise much the same. But he will be vice-captain in T20I squad for New Zealand.
Test squad for South Africa: Tim Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
T20 squad for New Zealand: Aaron Finch (capt), Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, D’Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa