Former Australian wicket-keeper batsman, Matthew Wade reckons that in his experience there is no point in sledging the current group of Indian cricketers, as Virat Kohli and his men end up doing a much better job after verbal duels. Wade has used sharp words to get into the skin of some Indian cricketers during the 2017 ODI series and also during last year’s Ashes. However, the 32-year-old said he would not want confrontations with Indian players during the much-anticipated four-Test engagement later this year.
During a video conference with reporters, Wade said, “They’re a hard team, they use it (sledging) to their advantage very well. Virat is very clever the way he uses his words or his body language. So they use it as an advantage now. To be honest, I don’t really want to engage too much into that.”
Here’s the video:
Should Australia engage India in the on-field verbals? @MatthewWade13 says he'll be staying away from it! pic.twitter.com/vaeQKUk3mJ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 9, 2020
The series between India and Australia are scheduled to lock horns to each other later this year with the first game at Gabba starting December 3. The second, third, and fourth Tests are slated for Adelaide Oval (Dec 11-15), Melbourne Cricket Ground ( Dec 26-30), and Sydney Cricket Ground (Jan 3-7) respectively.
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Wade said India is a fierce opponent with a bunch of good fielders. India’s pace attack has thrived under Kohli in the last few years and the gloveman also pointed out that fast bowlers will be India’s potent weapon in Australia.
Matthew Wade explained, “They have fast bowlers as well that has come through in the last 4-5 years, so it will be interesting playing India in Australia and probably their pace is their big weapon when they come here. “It will be a great challenge for the group … we’re developing all the time. We’re a little bit more settled team right now, over the last 12-18 months.”
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Confined to his home due to the coronavirus-forced lockdown, Wade said he wants to make it to the limited-overs team if Australia’s proposed tour of England in September goes as per schedule.
