No rest for Test middle order incumbent who will make his first appearance of Big Bash season

Matthew Wade was celebrating a clean sweep of Australia’s Test summer on Monday. Three days later he will suit up for Hobart, looking to inject some momentum into his team’s BBL campaign.

Hurricanes player Matthew Wade is back from Test duties for the team’s clash against Brisbane at the Gabba. Picture: PETER WALLIS

HURRICANES skipper Matthew Wade shelved plans to take a brief break following Australia’s Test summer to fill the void left by Big Bash partner in crime D’Arcy Short.

Wade returns for his first match of the tournament on Thursday night against the Brisbane Heat in a like for like replacement for Short, who was recalled to the ODI tour of India next week.

MORE: SHORT WARMS UP FOR INDIA

The dynamic duo were the most dominant opening partnership of last year’s BBL, but will now not be reunited until possibly Hobart’s last two matches of the roster season.

But Wade — who was initially going to wait until Monday’s home clash against the Perth Scorchers to make his BBL|09 debut — is confident the team can still build a case for finals action without the two-time reigning player of the tournament.

“I was planning on missing on a couple of games and having a rest but when D’Arcy got selected for Australia that changed things for me a bit,” Wade told the Mercury.

Australia's Matthew Wade. Picture. PHIL HILLYARD

“I had spoken to ‘Griffo’ and thought I might miss these couple of games but after D’Arcy’s selection I rang him [Griffith] back and said it was pretty important I come and play now we lose one of our most experienced players at the top of the order.

“I am happy to be here, I have played a boatload of red ball cricket over the last six months since the Ashes and Australia A and then into Shield cricket and then Test cricket.

Opening dream team Matthew Wade and D'Arcy Short. Picture: SCOTT BARBOUR/GETTY IMAGES

“It is exciting to get back and play for the Hurricanes.”

While he will assume captaincy duties, Wade will leave the glovework to stand-in Ben McDermott, having not kept in a match since last year’s Ashes tour.

It is a swift turnaround — Australia completed a 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand on Monday — but one the 32-year-old is not concerned about.

“I am confident I can play my role within the team, the older you get the easier it can get to transition between formats.

“I think it is just important you don’t look at it like you are going from Test cricket to T20, that’s when you get yourself into trouble trying to up the ante too much.

“It is important to let the game come to you. My role at the top of the order is to still go out and play normal cricket shots and when the opportunity comes I can take the game to the opposition a little bit.”