Tasmanian captain feels no extra pressure to perform after missing first two Sheffield Shield matches

Matthew Wade does not believe his absence from the first two Sheffield Shield games has opened the door for someone to take his Test spot for the blockbuster Indian series

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TASMANIAN skipper Matthew Wade feels no disadvantage from sitting out the start of the Tigers’ Sheffield Shield season as he prepares for his summer debut on Friday.

Wade will return to domestic duties against Western Australia after opting to skip the opening two matches to freshen up ahead of what shapes as a hectic international schedule.

The incumbent Test middle order star travelled to England for last month’s ODI and T20 tours, but only featured in one Twenty20 match.

Matthew Wade at Qantas Departure Terminal on the 23rd of August. The Australian men’s cricket team was the first international team to leave as they depart for the UK. PICTURE: Adam Yip

Despite the lack of match practice he still made the decision to spend some invaluable time at home with family, unsure of what shape the 2020-21 season was going to take.

“I feel I made the right decision to stay home for the period of time given what we are going to have coming up in terms of travel,” Wade said after joining his state teammates in Adelaide on Monday.

“The borders are obviously opening back up but we don’t know long term what the situation is going to be.

“For me, it was working how much cricket I needed before the Test series starts as well.

“If there were only two or three games to be played I would have probably come a bit earlier but the older I am getting the more comfortable I am in my game.

Matthew Wade gets in some footy practice in Adelaide while in quarantine with the Australian cricket team after their UK tour. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I feel two games here and maybe a practice game or two before the first Test is plenty of red ball cricket before I lead into the Test series.

“I’m comfortable with what I did and I think it will keep me mentally fresh more than anything. This year, more than any year in cricket, is going to be one of those years you need to be mentally engaged in the game or it will get you pretty quickly.”

The emergence of all-rounder Cameron Green — who scored 197 for the Warriors last week — has already seen Wade’s position in the Test line-up questioned, but the 32-year-old is used speculation around his future.

And he refuses to believe there is any extra pressure to perform to ensure he is locked in for the first Test of the blockbuster Indian series, which was confirmed on Wednesday morning.

“It feels I have been doing that [listening to detractors] my whole career. I averaged 40 plus in Test match cricket last year, I have been around the team for a period of time.

Matthew Wade in action during last year’s Boxing Day Test. Pic: Michael Klein

“I don’t feel there is pressure on me to go out and score runs, they [selectors] know what I can do at international level and I am pretty comfortable in my own skin.

“I feel I will be batting at five or six in the first Test. If that doesn’t happen then it doesn’t happen, at this stage that’s how I look at it.”

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