Cricket World Cup: Matthew Wade felt he was close but not surprised by squad omission

MATTHEW Wade says he will be ready to put on Brad Haddin’s World Cup gloves if required as he prepares to open without Aaron Finch.

Melbourne Stars v Melbourne Renegades, Big Bash at MCG, Matthew Wade celebrate's his 50runs by pointing to the number 408 on his bat in reference to good mate Phillip Hughes. Melbourne. 10th January 2015. Picture: Colleen Petch.

MATTHEW Wade says he will be ready to put on Brad Haddin’s World Cup gloves if required as he prepares to open the batting without destructive Melbourne Renegades captain Aaron Finch on Tuesday night.

The Gades — which must beat Brisbane Heat at Etihad Stadium to remain alive in the Big Bash League — are likely to replace Finch with capped Test batsman Alex Doolan, with Ben Rohrer to again lead the side in his absence.

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Doolan spoke of his burning desire to win a fifth Test match in 2015.

“I’ve had a bit of time to sit back and reflect and see where I want to go from here and certainly playing Test cricket again is something that I’m very passionate about,” he said.

“But that all starts with runs in Sheffield Shield games and hopefully I get myself on a tour after that.”

Matthew Wade will open the batting for the Melbourne Renegades without Aaron Finch.

The Gades will confront Australia’s newest Test batsman, Joe Burns, and Wade said they must stall Andrew Flintoff’s momentum after the veteran struck 46 (32) against Sydney Sixers.

Doolan said he hopes the selectors consider him for the two-Test West Indies tour in June, which leads into the Ashes.

“If you’d asked me 2-3 years ago if I’d ever play Test cricket I would have laughed at you, and to play one game let alone four was a thrill but once you’ve had that taste you do want more,” he said.

“It really does light a fire inside you and drives you to get back to that level.”

The 29-year-old became the latest Australian to struggle at No. 3 and was dropped after the first Test against Pakistan in October with an average of 23.87 from eight knocks.

After being called into the 13-man Renegades squad he said: “Certainly I’d like to bat at the top of the order but it depends on if I get a game or not I guess”.

Recruit Wade hit his biggest BBL score of 71 (49) against the Stars and said his move across Melbourne camps was justified.

He now opens the batting after coming in as low as No. 7 in green and frequently posting unbeaten starts.

While Wade thought he was close to World Cup selection, he expected Haddin to get the nod.

“The last two or three weeks have been a bit of a nightmare for people not knowing whether they’re in or out,” he said.

The aggressive hitter with 47 ODIs to his name said he as happy with his glove work in 2014 after briefly losing his technique.

Matthew Wade played in all five of Australia’s most recent ODIs against South Africa. Picture: Colleen Petch

“I thought I was a chance (to make the 15-man World Cup squad), I was in the last one-day tournament and played all right,” the wicketkeeper understudy said.

“I got the call to say I wasn’t in but I’m pretty comfortable that if an opportunity comes I’ll get a chance to play and hopefully I take my chance if that happens.

“You always feel like you can play a part, hopefully Hadds will be fine but if an opportunity comes I feel like I’m ready to go if need be.”

Haddin and Wade’s 2014 ODI outputs were comparable with their averages (32 and 28.5) and strike-rates (77.77 and 75) close.

Wade said the Heat’s lower-order hitting power posed a threat while a big win against the last-placed side will propel the 2-4 Gades back into the finals conversation with Sunday’s results falling their way.

Originally published as Cricket World Cup: Matthew Wade felt he was close but not surprised by squad omission