Former Australian limited-overs captain George Bailey has raised his voice in favour of the in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade as he believes that the 30-year-old deserves to get an opportunity in the upcoming four-match home Test series against India.
The right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman is currently in a brilliant form with the bat. In the ongoing 2018/19 Sheffield Shield, the Tasmanian batsman is currently the third leading run-scorer as he has scored 412 runs in eight innings (four matches) with the average of 82.40. Five out of eight innings, Wade has managed to play the 50+ knocks, including one brilliant century in most recent against Victoria. However, he has kept wicket in only the first two matches of this tournament.
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Observing Wade’s brilliant batting form, the 36-year-old George Bailey believes Wade should be in the playing XI during the upcoming home Test series against India, starting on December 6.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Bailey said, “I can’t speak highly enough of the way he’s going about his cricket. If you’re looking at those numbers he’d very much have to be in the mix for a Test. He’s a good fielder, just pick your six best batters, simple. He’s in complete control of his game.”
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Bailey also pointed out Wade’s brilliant ability to build up strong and good partnerships with the lower-order batsmen and also his ability to adjust himself in the different kinds of pitches.
The former Australian limited-overs captain said, “That’s been the most pleasing thing this year. I don’t think we’ve given him great situations on a number of occasions. His ability to go through the gears, to start his innings, accelerate when he needs to.”
Bailey has also praised the current leading runs scorer in the ongoing Sheffield Shield – Alex Doolan. The 32-year-old right-handed Tasmanian batsman, who has played four Tests for Australia and all in 2014, has scored 444 runs in eight innings with the average of 55.50, including one century and four half-centuries.
Bailey said, “He’s batting better I think than when he first played for Australia. A bit more experience, bit of age. He’s got a knowledge of his game and awareness of how to go about it. He’s been in great touch.”
