Matthew Wade

[Prince EWS]

While the top 3-4 continue to the fail we have little choice but to keep Wade in the team. He and Clarke are currently rebuiliding the innings yet again;

Aus 189/4 (61.5 ov, MS Wade 55*, MJ Clarke 70*, I Sharma 0/44) | Live Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

The issues concerning Wade's current lack of catching form pale when compared to the problems that Cowan, Hughes, and Watson are creating for the middle and lower orders.

If Wade's batting really is better than that of the blokes in the top order but his glovework isn't up to it, then the answer is simple - drop a failing top order batsman for a wicket keeper. I really don't think it's exactly so though.

To me it just reminds me so, so much of the Matt Prior situation. He came into Test cricket and showed himself to be more than capable as a lower middle order batsman but substandard with the gloves early on. After ten Tests he was averaging over 40 overall and just come off this series where he was easily amongst England's best batsmen of the tour.. and they dropped him anyway because he was keeping like a clown. He went away and focused completely on his keeping, doing heaps of work with Alec Stewart until he'd improved enough to get back in the side, and he hasn't looked back.

Prior actually justified his place on batting alone at that point and England could've either just persisted with him despite his poor wicket keeping or moved him up a place and dropped Bopara for a wicket keeper, but they felt the best long-term investment in Prior would be to have him go away, improve his glovework and come back when ready. You certainly can't knock them for how that worked out in any way, so unless Wade's keeping improves on this tour then I think that's the path we should be looking down.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Pews that might be the best way to go if the can get another 18 months/2 years out of Haddin if all his troubles are behind him. Wade can bat but his glovework is probably even worse than Prior's was in SL.

 

[benchmark00]

His maiden ton was one IMO. When was the last time Watson rescued with bat alone? (genuine question ftr)

Watson averaged mid forties with the bat as an opener. He played a number of significant innings playing as an opener. Hard to rescue when you're an opener...

 

[watson]

Hughes, Warner and Watson have all played more important knocks than Wade has. Wade has very rarely rescued anything. You mean Clarke and Hussey.

You took my sentence, quoted half of it, and then took it out of context. I was simply saying that the Aussie innings is being rebuilt yet again after the top order failed. Clarke and Wade happen to be batting, and Wade is making a good fist of it.

And so it appears that Australia's batting line-up currently needs his average of 37. Wally Grout coming in at 4-63 wouldn't help any. But of course if Cowan, Hughes, and Watson actually scored some decent runs then we could afford a Wally Grout type keeper/batsman.

 

[benchmark00]

You took my sentence, quoted half of it, and then took it out of context. I was simply saying that the Aussie innings is being rebuilt yet again after the top order failed. Clarke and Wade happen to be batting, and Wade is making a good fist of it.

And so it appears that Australia's batting line-up currently needs his average of 37. Wally Grout coming in at 4-63 wouldn't help any. But of course if Cowan, Hughes, and Watson actually scored some decent runs then we could afford a Wally Grout type keeper/batsman.

Your argument would make sense if Wade was in the top six bats in the country.




He's not.

 

[M0rphin3]

Watson averaged mid forties with the bat as an opener. He played a number of significant innings playing as an opener. Hard to rescue when you're an opener...

Warner did. At least a couple of times IIRC. Again, not saying Wade>Watson or anything, but just since you brought that rescue part up.

 

[benchmark00]

Warner did. At least a couple of times IIRC. Again, not saying Wade>Watson or anything, but just since you brought that rescue part up.

I said Watson has played more significant knocks than Wade.

 

[watson]

Your argument would make sense if Wade was in the top six bats in the country.




He's not.

Well right now he currently is - better than Warner, Cowan, Hughes and Watson. But slightly behind Clarke.

 

[NUFAN]

I actually wouldn't bat an eyelid or call someone's post bull**** if they did say that they think Wade is one of Australia's six best batsman.

It's just his glovework.

 

[benchmark00]

Well right now he currently is - better than Warner, Cowan, Hughes and Watson. But slightly behind Clarke.

Wow.

 

[social]

Not that he should be the benchmark but Wade's keeping is not appreciably worse than Dhoni's

 

[watson]

Not that he should be the benchmark but Wade's keeping is not appreciably worse than Dhoni's

 

[Prince EWS]

Not that he should be the benchmark but Wade's keeping is not appreciably worse than Dhoni's

I loathe to ever defend Dhoni as a Test cricketer, but I reckon it is. Dhoni is a poor wicket keeper by Test standards. Wade currently is not a Test standard wicket keeper.

 

[benchmark00]

Yeah Dhoni is noticeably better than Wade at keeping.

 

[Johnners]

Well right now he currently is - better than Warner, Cowan, Hughes and Watson. But slightly behind Clarke.

lol.

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Hughes, Warner and Watson have all played more important knocks than Wade has.

Yeah, in 2009.

 

[Coronis]

Well right now he currently is - better than Warner, Cowan, Hughes and Watson. But slightly behind Clarke.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Yeah Dhoni is noticeably better than Wade at keeping.

About the same standing back, but Dhoni is appreciatively better standing up.

 

[social]

Wadekeepingwatch - Not that I am saying he should be retained but Wade's keeping was acceptable today

 

[silentstriker]

About the same standing back, but Dhoni is appreciatively better standing up.

Dhoni is probably the best wicketkeeper in the world at stumpings IMO. But yea, he's not a good wicketkeeper by any means - below average for sure. Better than Wade though.