The Ashes 2019: Matthew Wade form hard to ignore as Aussies weigh up squad balance

Selectors are paying close attention to Matthew Wade’s century binge on the Australia A tour of England and are seriously considering the wicketkeeper/batsmen for The Ashes.

• ‘Acceptance will take time’: Poms won’t silence hecklers
• Archer has speed to make Aussies quiver
• Shakib does it all as Bangladesh continue to impress
• Wade breaks record in Ashes audition

Matthew Wade’s blazing form has sparked discussions in the World Cup camp as selectors consider reviving the in-form batsman’s international career at The Ashes.

Wade has been swapping texts with Aussie coach Justin Langer and chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns as he pushes to win selection as a back-up wicketkeeper and batsman rolled into one, which would free up space for an extra fast bowler.

Given Test incumbents Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson are likely to be joined by Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson, that option holds appeal.

Matthew Wade has smashed two centuries in his two innings thus far in England.

Wade’s remarkable domestic summer – he scored the second-most runs in the Big Bash (592 at 42.3) and the Sheffield Shield (1021 at 60.1) – has rolled into England, where he is opening the batting for Australia A on its 50-over circuit of the shires.

Captain Aaron Finch said Australia A’s two big wins showed that Australia’s glory days of yesteryear were returning.

Wade’s knocks of 117 (67) and 155 (71) were the backbone of those victories, which Finch and Langer discussed Wade’s form with Australia A coach Graeme Hick.

“We've been keeping an eye on the score. There's been a bit of chat between JL and Hickey and myself,” Finch said.

“It's great to see Wadey come out and smacking them. He's done that for quite a while in domestic cricket now. It's great to see.

“They have had a couple of really good wins, the A boys, and quite convincing, as well, so that's really good.

“I think a sign of the strength that we are building over the last couple of years is the depth of Australian cricket.

“It’s starting to get back to what people call the heyday, the glory years of the early 2000s and times like that, when the competition underneath the men's and women's international team was so fiercely competitive.

Has Matthew Wade played his way into the Ashes squad?

“It’s starting to get back to that.”

“Guys are getting an opportunity. They are putting their hand up and being counted and making sure they are being in the forefront of selectors' minds when selection comes up.”

Wade, 31, has not played Test cricket in almost two years but has also been picked for the Australia A four-day squad and will bat in next month’s tour match between Australia and Australia A.

Australia A was due to play Worcestershire on Tuesday night.

Originally published as The Ashes 2019: Matthew Wade form hard to ignore as Aussies weigh up squad balance