Shield wicketkeepers add to Test claims

Matthew Wade, Peter Nevill and Chris Hartley all added to their Test claims in the Sheffield Shield, as Cricket Australia wait for an update on Brad Haddin’s shoulder injury.

Wade skippered Victoria to a nine-wicket win over NSW, completing a smart stumping off the legspin of Fawad Ahmed on Monday after scoring 59 in the first dig.

Counterpart Nevill posted scores of 87 and 45 in that match, defying a short-ball barrage on the final day and almost willing his side to a draw.

Both were keeping mum about the prospect of taking the gloves when Australia face India in next month’s four-Test series opener at the Gabba.

“You never want anyone to get injured and I’m not sure how bad Hadds is,” said Wade, recently recalled to the national one-day side.

“‘I’m sure he’ll be right for the Tests, so I’ll just go and do my job in the one-dayers and take what comes my way.”

Nevill, brooding over his side’s lack of runs at the MCG, noted a Test debut was “the last thing I’m thinking about”.

Hartley on Saturday recorded his highest first-class score, an unbeaten 142, on day two of Queensland’s loss to South Australia.

SA coach Darren Berry, who played 153 first-class and was renowned for his keeping skills, suggested Hartley deserved the call-up if Haddin was unavailable.

“(Because of) what he has done over a long period of time with the gloves, and with the bat he’s the most improved batsman in the last two or three years,” Berry said.

“There are claims for everyone, Tim Paine has got an argument, and the emerging Sam Whiteman.

“(SA keeper Tim) Ludeman is a a better keeper than any of them in my opinion.

“(But Hartley is) the most deserving of a chance.”

Ludeman on Monday completed a remarkable legside stumping off the bowling of paceman Chadd Sayers in the Shield clash at Adelaide Oval.

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