Matthew Wade Can Open For Australia Against India in Adelaide - Michael Clarke

Former Australian captain, Michael Clarke believes that Matthew Wade could be the makeshift opener for the first Test against India. The opening Test of the 4-match series is scheduled to commence on 17th December in Adelaide. It would be a day-night contest to be played with the pink-ball.

While the hosts start the series as slight favourites, they have to deal with a couple of injuries ahead of the series. Earlier in the ODI series, David Warner walked off the field owing to a groin strain and later the opener was ruled out from the first Test.

Australia’s most-talked-about youngster in recent times, Will Pucovski was then expected to be a sure starter for the first Test in place of Warner. However, Pucovski was hit by a bouncer from Kartik Tyagi in the first warm-up match and was taken off the field.

It was revealed that the right-hander has suffered a concussion and will miss the second practice game starting 11th December. He is also doubtful for the Adelaide match. This leaves the out of form Joe Burns as the only regular opener in the Australian squad.

Wade has got to be in that starting XI: Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke has opined that Matthew Wade has surely got to be in the starting eleven. He believes that if all-rounder, Cameron Green is selected in the middle-order then Wade could be asked to open the batting.

It wouldn’t be a new position for the left-hander. He has recently struck a couple of quick half-centuries in the T20Is at the opening position against India. Hence, Michael Clarke feels that the 32-year-old keeper could be used as a temporary option to open the innings until Warner or Pucovski is fit.

Speaking to AAP, Michael Clarke said, “If you’re going to pick (all-rounder) Cameron Green then you’ve got to find another spot for Wadey. He’s got to be in that starting XI but that could be anywhere in that team. That could be opening the batting if need be. I think Wadey can do that.”

Wade has regularly opened for his Big Bash side, Hobart Hurricanes, and for Australia in 10 ODIs. However, batting at the top in Test matches would be altogether a different deal for the southpaw.  He made a comeback into the Test side after almost two years in the last Ashes in England where he notched his first Test century in six years and followed it up with another one.

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