Steve Smith admits Matthew Wade on borrowed time as Australia aim to save Bangladesh series

STEVE Smith has cast serious doubts over Matthew Wade’s wicketkeeping future, but he is likely to escape the hatchet for the second Test against Bangladesh.

Matthew Wade is under pressure to hold his Test job.

STEVE Smith has cast serious doubts over Matthew Wade’s wicketkeeping future, but he is likely to escape the hatchet for Monday’s crucial second Test.

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Part-timer Peter Handscomb took the gloves for Australia’s final training session in Chittagong, and as of Sunday night all options remained on the table in one of the most open-ended selection races in history.

Peter Handsomb practises his wicketkeeping at training on Sunday.

Australia must consider an ultra-aggressive approach if they’re to defy a horrendous weather forecast and save the series against Bangladesh, after captain Smith admitted the side was “embarrassed” at their first Test efforts.

It was too damp for Smith, national selector Trevor Hohns and coach Darren Lehmann to get a look at the pitch on Sunday, and the make-up of Australia’s bowling attack remains completely unknown, with spinner Steve O’Keefe, quick Jackson Bird and all-rounder Hilton Cartwright all on standby to play.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim declared his side were treating Australia’s mass state of selection uncertainty as a moral victory.

Wade did not train on Sunday – not unusual the day before a Test – although, the sight of Handscomb keeping to throw downs from Brad Haddin in the indoor nets has Australia fully prepared to at least consider the most extreme of options.

Presuming there is a Test to play, Wade could be on his last chance in Test cricket, while Usman Khawaja’s fate may also be predicated on the make-up of the XI.

Smith demanded more from his man behind the stumps and like coach Lehmann before him, refused to rule anything out.

Peter Handsomb practises his wicketkeeping at training on Sunday.

“We are still talking about it (playing Handscomb as an option). It’s obviously an option. We have got Petey here who can keep and that will give us the option to play another spinner or another batter; whatever we want to do,” Smith said.

“We certainly have that option there if we want to take it.

“It certainly would be a tough call. I think when we are looking at Matty we just need a little bit more from him with the bat in particular.

“He’s had nine Tests (back) now and (he has one 50). He knows this, he knows that he has to do a little bit better with the bat and he’s had those conversations. It’ll just depend which way we want to go on the balance of the team.”

Smith indicated Handscomb could soon come into play as a keeping option for Australia at ODI level as he prepares to take the gloves for Victoria in the one-day Cup.

Before Sunday, Handscomb had not practised his keeping at all on tour – forgoing that opportunity during Australia’s main session on Saturday where Wade had a long session – however, Smith insisted he would be ready to go.

Matthew Wade has had a lean run of scores in recent times

“I think he’s going to catch a few balls indoors. We’re not sure which way we want to go there again it’s going to depend on the wicket and what we think the best make-up of the side is,” said Smith.

“But it’s certainly good to have Pete here as an option if we want to go down that path.

“We’ll think about it and if we need him to take that role then he will have a catch at training and he’ll be good to go,” he said.

“He’s been working on his keeping before we came away and I think he’s taking the gloves for Victoria in the one-dayers when he gets home. He certainly has kept and we’ve seen him keep before and he’s done a good job. If we go that way we are confident he will do a good job.”

There has been conjecture back home about whether losing to ninth-ranked Bangladesh and risking dropping to No.6 in the Test rankings is a disaster.

Smith conceded on Sunday his team were embarrassed by their performance with the bat and must shape up.

Could the Aussies turn to Peter Handscombe to keep wickets?

“Obviously last week didn’t go to plan and we’re all hurting after the game and a bit embarrassed about our performance,” said Smith.

“We’ve got to turn it around this week and start playing some good cricket.”

Smith expects the pitch will play lower and won’t take as much spin early as Dhaka and won’t have the same wild variations in bounce.

However, in one of the most open-ended selection debates in recent times, Smith admitted that he could not guarantee Usman Khawaja was safe at No.3 either – with Cartwright in the wings.

“I’m not sure yet, we’ll wait and see. We’ve got a few options to play a few different guys,” Smith said.

“If we go in with one quick we might need Hilton to bowl a few overs and we’ve got a whole heap of options. We want another look (at the wicket) and we’ll make a final decision there.”

Originally published as Steve Smith admits Matthew Wade on borrowed time as Australia aim to save Bangladesh series