Michael Clarke Questions Australian Selectors 'Double-Standards' Following Matthew Wade's Snub From The Test Squad

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has questioned the selectors’ decision to drop wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade from the Test squad for the upcoming series in South Africa.

Matthew Wade endured a disappointing series against India where he managed just 173 runs in eight innings at an average of 21.62.

Clarke accused the selection panel of double-standards, asking that why didn’t they show the same loyalty to Wade as they did to Joe Burns, who got a chance to open the innings in the first two Tests despite being in horrendous form in the lead-up to the series.

He also pointed out that Matthew Wade batted out of position for his team in the first two Tests in the absence of injured opener David Warner.

“What happened to that loyalty they showed to Joe Burns when it came to Matthew Wade,” Michael Clarke said on Sky Sports’ Big Sports Breakfast.

“Where has Matthew Wade gone? You batted out of position for them, went to the top of the order, did the right thing for the team, gets back. I know he didn’t score as many runs as they would like but hang on, one minute we’re hearing ‘the incumbent Joe Burns, support, support, support’ then Matthew Wade out the door,” he added.

Thoughts on Australia's 19-man squad for the proposed Test tour of South Africa?

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‘Explain why Matthew Wade is not in the squad, explain why Travis Head is back in’- Michael Clarke

South Australian captain and middle-order batsman Travis Head has retained his place in the squad for South Africa Tests.

It is interesting to note that Head was dropped from the playing 11 after the two Tests, and now that he has found a place in the squad without having played a single game since then.

Michael Clarke questioned the selectors as to on what criteria did they select Travis Head in the side and axe Matthew Wade from the squad given the fact that they had chosen the latter over the former after the second Test in Melbourne.

”I’m confused. Travis Head was not good enough two weeks ago but now he is back in and better than Matthew Wade who was good enough. Did they get the selection wrong two weeks ago when they dropped Travis Head for Matthew Wade?,” he added.

“Has Travis Head played a game since he was dropped… to fight his way back into the team? So how has he gone back into the team? This is what confuses me and this is why you regularly hear people having a crack at the selectors. They regularly leave themselves open,” Michael Clarke asked.

“Explain why Matthew Wade is not in the squad, explain why Travis Head is back in, explain how you cannot discuss Tim Paine’s performance. They’re either not telling the truth or whoever is having these conversations are missing a trick,” Clarke added.

Also Read: He Missed A Few Tricks And His Keeping Was Nowhere Near As Good As What I’ve Seen From Him: Michael Clarke On Tim Paine