Ashes 2017/18: Matthew Wade Uncertain About Test Future after Tim Paine's Surprise Recall

The incumbent Australia wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade is out of the gloveman race according to the Fairfax media for the impending Ashes 2017-18, as the National Selectors supremo for Cricket Australia (CA) of Trevor Hohns will reveal the eagerly-awaited hosts’ squad on Friday.

“If I get dropped now from Test cricket I’d be surprised if I got another callback. That would be my second (time dropped),” Wade was quoted as saying by Fox Sports.

The 29-year-old Hobart-born Wade fears he might not feature for Australia in the Test cricket, as the leaked report suggested out-of-favour 32-year-old gloveman was tipped to return to the Test format after seven years.

As the left-handed batsman, Wade, was in contention alongside Peter Nevill for the ‘keeping spot which had witnessed a significant turnaround hours before hosts were scheduled to announce the home team for the five-match traditional Test series.

“I played the last Test match so at the moment I’m the Test keeper. It’s frustrating, I’d like to know, everyone would like to know, but what do you do?,” Wade said.

(Read Also: Ashes 2017-18: Tim Paine to Earn a Surprise Call-up for Australia: Report)

With team scheduled to be announced on Friday, Wade struggled with the bat but somehow was steady while donning the gloves for state-side Tasmania. As Wade had claimed seven catches in the drawn fixture against the Victorian side at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), has a good outing with the gloves in Bangladesh.

“If they’re talking about changing the keeper, [Cameron] Bancroft has been the only one who has put the weight of runs on the board,” Wade remarked.

Wade hinted he has done decent in India and then Bangladesh behind the stumps, as selectors should have had shown some faith in him.

“I felt like I kept well throughout India, and even Bangladesh. I know there was a lot spoken about, but they were tough wickets to keep on,” Wade conceded.

(Read Further: Ashes 2017/18: Pat Cummins Aims to Emulate Mitchell Johnson of 2013/14)

Out-of-form Wade had tried hard to score but struggled to put the score on the board. In first three rounds of the JLT Sheffield Shield competition, Wade’s highest score (17) came against Queensland at his home ground.

While failing miserably for his state-based team, Wade scored 38 in five innings. It further got difficult for Wade – to retain his spot while donning the white clothes.

“I would like to get some more runs obviously. But I think I have proven over a long period of time that I can bat,” Wade added.

Unfortunately, Wade averages at the unhealthy average of 20 in the last 10 Tests which is expected to be one of the reasons for his ouster from the about-to announce squad.

Admitting the fact, somewhat enraged Wade revealed he has been working hard in the nets.

“The last month has been hard work. Performance wise I’d like to get a few more runs, but I am doing everything I can do; training hard, doing the right things off the ground,” Wade asserted.

For Tasmania, Wade was ‘keeping as Tim Paine made his appearance on November 13 against Victoria in the third round of the ongoing JLT Sheffield Shield four-day competition.

The reports suggested Paine will get picked as a preferred choice for being rated highly while donning the gloves.

“I haven’t really seen anyone around the country really throwing their hand up and saying ‘it’s my spot’,” Wade concluded.

Wade played 22 Tests for Australia in which he scored at the average of 28.58 after making his debut in April 2012 against Windies at Bridgetown while donning the white jersey.