It’s Going To Be Hard Work: Matthew Wade On The Upcoming Test Series Against 'Fierce' India
Updated - 31 Jul 2020, 01:16 AM
Matthew Wade, Australian wicketkeeper-batsman, recently opened up on the upcoming Test series against India, adding that the home side is in for plenty of ‘hard work’ if they are to stage redemption for the 1-2 defeat that they suffered, the last Virat Kohli’s men were Down Under.
India and Australia are set to lock horns at the end of the year in a four-match Test series. Apart from regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and grabbing crucial ICC Test Championship points, Australia will be eyeing redemption after they lost the last home series to India 1-2.
But Wade feels it wouldn’t be straightforward job and that his team is in for a hard grind. Hailing India as a ‘fierce team’, the left-hander, Mathew Wade also credited skipper Virat Kohli for the way he motivates and drives his players with his infectious energy on the field.
‘Everyone, although they might not admit it, is looking towards that Indian series. It’s going to be hard work. They (India) are a fierce team. They’re as hard a team as I’ve ever played in terms of the way they compete.” Matthew Wade told cricket.com.au.
“Led by Virat, you can see the way he goes about it on the field, you can see what it means to him and he drives all those guys, they jump on the back of him. It’s going to be as big a challenge as this team has faced for the 12 months we’ve been together,” he added.
“I don’t think it will be as effective as Wagner”- Matthew Wade on the potential short ball ploy by Indian seamers
Matthew Wade also opened up about the relentless bouncer barrage that he faced against New Zealand’s bowling machine Neil Neil Wagner during last summer.
When asked about whether the Indian trio of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma could use the same ploy against him in the upcoming Test series, Wade said that he hasn’t seen anyone more consistent than Wagner when it comes to bowling bouncer and hence he doesn’t think that Indian bowlers could pull that off for a long period of time.
“I don’t think anyone in the game has bowled bouncers the way he bowled and been so consistent, and not gotten scored off while also picking up wickets. I think we’ll see it a bit (from India) but I don’t think it will be as effective as Wagner. He’s done it for a long time now … to be honest I’ve never faced a bowler who is so accurate at bowling bouncers,” Matthew Wade said.
“If you looked at all the bouncers (Wagner) bowled … he’s always between your shoulder and the top of your (helmet) peak, or in your armpits,” the batsman added.
The four-match Test series between Australia and India will kickstart from December 03 at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Also Read: Brett Lee Reckons Australian Pace Trio Key To Their Sides’ Success Against India
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Matthew Wade Neil Wagner Virat Kohli
