Published: Feb 22, 2017, 04:06 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 22, 2017, 04:06 PM (IST)
Matthew Wade returned to the international circuit after he improved drastically in his glovework in the domestic circuit. Wade is not a stranger to playing in India. He played three Tests during Australia’s 0-4 whitewash in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2012-13. While his wicketkeeping credentials cannot be questioned now, his contribution with the bat is what will determine his legacy. Modern day wicketkeepers not just have to be good behind the wickets; they also have to contribute heavily with the bat when needed. His form with the bat too has been in good, especially in the ODIs series against Pakistan, where he scored a hundred to help Australia win from a precarious position in the first match. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Australia, 1st Test at Pune
His road to establishing himself as the first-choice wicketkeeper has been anything but smooth. He had to wait for his turn. After Adam Gilchrist retired after playing 96 continuous Tests, Brad Haddin soon became Australia’s No.1 choice ‘keeper. Haddin’s rough patch made way for Wade but he could not grab the spot for long. Haddin was unceremoniously sacked during the Ashes 2015, when he had to return home to be with his ailing daughter. Peter Nevill then got a chance and was their first choice till poor performances led him to him being axed ahead of the day-night Test against South Africa.
Family of sportsmen
There always has been a sportsman in the entire Wade family. His father Scot was an Australian rules footballer, his grandfather also served as president of the Hobart football club. Also, his cousin Jeremy Howe still plays for Collingwood FC as a defender. Wade in his early days also played football, but it was cricket that he eventually opted for as he considered himself to be too short for football.
Not everything went according to plan for the young sportsman, who just wanted to play sports he was so passionate about. At 16, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer that saw him undergo two sessions of chemotherapy. From that, he soon bounced back to represent Australia in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2006, where he affected 8 catches and 1 stumping in his 5 matches as Australia crashed out at the semi-final stage to eventual champions Pakistan. More importantly, that tournament gave Australian cricket a glimpse of their future. Future international stars like David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch and Jon Holland played under Mosies Henriques’ leadership. India vs Australia: How strong are the visitors?
International break
Wade had to make a switch from Tasmania to Victoria as he was looking for a regular run in the side. Tim Paine was Tasmania’s first-choice ‘keeper at that point, but a move to Victoria Bushrangers rejuvenated Wade’s career. But Wade played just a handful of limited-overs games for Tasmania before he made the switch. On his First-Class debut, for the Bushrangers, he slammed 83 and also snapped up six catches. Wade never looked back after that. It was not a major surprise to see Wade having two excellent seasons in the Sheffield Shield tournament and also finished as Victoria’s leading run-scorer in the Ryobi Cup (now Matador Cup) in 2011 with 489 runs at 61.12.
He received his maiden national call-up, when he was picked for the T20 International series against South Africa ahead of Haddin and Paine in 2011. Four months after his T20I debut, Wade made his ODI debut, this time against India at Melbourne. He put up a Man of the Match performance, scoring 67 as Australia won the match by 65 runs (D/L). He finished his first ODI series with 341 runs at 31. He also took as many as 17 catches and inflicted two stumpings in his first 11 ODIs.
However, his biggest break came when he replaced Haddin in Australia’s tour of West Indies in 2012. He justified his place in the side, slamming 106 in the third Test at Roseau as Australia won the three-match series 2-0. Another century followed in January 2013 against Sri Lanka. But he was dropped after a tough tour of India, but continued to feature in the limited-overs fixtures.
Australia A
Wade was the wicketkeeper for Australia A in their tour of India in 2015. He failed miserably with the bat, scoring just 13 in 2 innings as his side won the two-match unofficial Test series 1-0. Wade led the side in the 50-over format — a tri-series, which featured India and South Africa – and put up a superb show in the limited-overs, scoring 170 in his four innings at 56.66, including a stroke-filled 130 off 106 in the final group stage match.
Australia went into the final undefeated, but lost the final to India A by 4 wickets. There is no questioning Wade temperament and fitness. On a tour where all matches were played in Chennai – probably one of the most hot and humid places in the country – Wade was one of those players, who never showed signs of cramps, tiredness through the tour. Not only did he score runs, he also led the team from the front and stood behind the wickets for 50 overs.
The comeback
Wade is colour-blind, just like former Australian Test player Chris Rogers. It was ironic that Wade make a return to the Test squad after three years in a day-night Test, also known as Pink Ball cricket. He was part of the drastic changes the Australian selectors made after poor show in the three-match Test series, where Australia were 2-0 down. Some selections paid off, while some did not and Wade’s selection was certainly a positive for Australia. While Nic Maddinson and Callum Ferguson failed to grab their limited opportunities, youngsters like Matthew Renshaw and Peter Handscomb did well, in fact did well beyond aexpectations.
After Wade was picked for the day-night Test, he said, “I played pink ball at Adelaide Oval last year in a Shield game, so it’ll be interesting to see what it does in the Test arena. You’ve just got to get used to it,” he said. “I think it’s trying to get it out of your mind. I can see the colour of the ball, I pick it up. It’s just at times it takes a little bit longer to work out the depth of where it’s coming,” according to thenational.ae. “I’ve got more used to it I suppose,” he said.
“The more you play, you get more used to it, but the ball is getting better year-in, year-out,” he added.
Captain Wade
Wade was appointed Australia captain for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 2017 as regular captain Steven Smith and vice-captain Warner were away in Dubai, preparing for the series against India. But a back injury prevented him from becoming Australia 24th ODI captain. As a result, Finch led the team and Wade’s Victoria teammate Handscomb donned the wicketkeeping gloves as Australia succumbed to a 2-0 loss.
What lies ahead?
The Australian selectors believe Wade is the best wicketkeeper in the country at the moment. But then, he has got to start scoring some big runs, if he intends to cement his place. There are keepers like Nevill, who have been scoring heavily in the domestic circuit. His future in the Australian side could very well be determined by how he does on this tour. India tours have been make or break for many in the past, this will be no different for Wade.
