Matthew Wade falls short of Sheffield Shield century against Western Australia
Matthew Wade concedes wunderkind Cameron Green will be a long-term Australian all-rounder, but feels comfortable about his spot in the Test side.
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Matthew Wade will stave off competition for his Test spot in the Adelaide series opener against India, but concedes wunderkind Cameron Green will be a long-term Australian all-rounder.
Wade was impressive on first-class return, making 83 for Tasmania against Western Australia in Adelaide but noted it was “disappointing” to miss a ton with Victorians Will Pucovski (199*), Marcus Harris (207*) and Marnus Labuschagne (117) excelling this round.
Travis Head and Green have also posted centuries this season.
“It was a little bit frustrating with the scores everyone is getting on these wickets,” said Wade.
However, 32-Test left-hander Wade is so comfortable in his skin he hopes 200cm Green is blooded by Australia this summer – just not at his expense in the Test middle order.
“He is an exciting prospect, it was a challenge to face him, got the ball through at decent pace. Long term he will be potentially good enough to play as a (Test) No. 4 bowler. Hopefully we see him play for Australia, just not my position,” joked Wade.
“Last year I faced him first game after the Ashes and could tell he was a going to be a hell of a talent and play cricket for Australia for a long time.”
Green entered the contest with four first-class tons in 17 matches while his 28 wickets had flowed at a frugal 21.5. Green has been prevented from bowling this season due to a back injury but the signs were promising from the outset against the Tigers bowling at 140km/h.
Opener Jordan Silk (17) edged a sharp, back of a length Green delivery to Cameron Gannon at third slip.
Silk’s exit orchestrated a mouth-watering confrontation between Green and Wade. Test trio Joe Burns, Head and Wade – who missed the opening Sheffield Shield rounds for family reasons – are under pressure from Green.
National selectors have already shown their fascination with Green by including the rookie in Australia’s limited overs squad to face India. Green has been heralded the best young Australian batsmen since Ricky Ponting’s 1990s emergence by Greg Chappell, but Wade isn’t fazed.
Wade insists two tons through his last 10 Tests for Australia and clutch Ashes knocks will earn a start against India.
“In terms of me trying to keep a Test spot, I feel comfortable the position I am in,” said Wade, who rested for the opening rounds in the expectation he would be in the national quarantine bubble away from his family until Christmas.
“I have played the last 10 Tests for Australia and did reasonably well in the Ashes. I am confident I will be playing in the Test series.
“Guys are scoring big runs now but you can roll those articles on and change the names. There will always be scrutiny.”
Wade was stumped attempting to lift the scoring rate against accurate Ashton Agar (1/46) after tea wanting his partner in a 135-run, second wicket stand – Ben McDermott – to anchor the innings. Tasmania (5/273) trail Western Australia on the first innings after Wade (83) and McDermott (83) top scored.
Batting time was crucial for Wade.
“I came out and tried to push the tempo of the game a little bit more after tea and to Agar’s credit he did me. A little bit disappointing but happy I got to see some time out the middle. The whole point is to win games for Tassie and confident I made the right decision,” said Wade.
Originally published as Matthew Wade falls short of Sheffield Shield century against Western Australia