Australia’s new one-day wicketkeeper Matthew Wade wants to be more than just a fill-in for rested Brad Haddin.
The Victorian was named in a 14-man squad for Australia’s first three matches of the one-day triangular series against India and Sri Lanka on Monday, with selectors resting Haddin.
But if Wade gets his way, he’s aiming to keep the NSW gloveman out for more than just those first three matches.
“Obviously really excited to get an opportunity in the one-day form,” said Wade, who has already become Australia’s Twenty20 keeper after Haddin retired from that form of the game at international level.
“I’m just hoping to do my best. I’m not sure what the selectors have in mind after these three games but I’ll be doing my best to make it a hard decision to remove me.”
Wade, already selected in Australia’s two-match T20 series against India starting on Wednesday, will be making his ODI debut for Australia.
Haddin, who sent a congratulatory text to Wade and offered his support, will return to his ACT roots in an effort to rediscover his form after only averaging 29 with the bat during the recent Test series against India.
The 34-year-old will captain the Prime Minister’s XI in a one-day match against Sri Lanka on Friday, but is expected to feature in the latter stages of the tri-series.
Chairman of selectors John Inverarity said Haddin hadn’t been dropped and was likely to feature later in the ODI series.
“The workload for a wicketkeeper/batsman is rigorous and resting him for the start of the series will refresh him for coming international commitments while also giving us a chance to look at Matt Wade at this level,” Inverarity said in a statement.
There was no place in the squad for injured quicks James Pattinson and Patrick Cummins, while allrounder Shane Watson remains out of contention due to his ongoing recovery from hamstring and calf injuries.
Queensland batsman Peter Forrest was the surprise inclusion, while South Australian allrounder Dan Christian is likely to join Wade and Forrest as a ODI debutant.
Xavier Doherty is the squad’s only spinner with Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon missing as he aims to overcome a minor thigh injury ahead of the tour of the West Indies in March and April.
Struggling Test batsman Shaun Marsh, who made just 17 runs over six Test innings in the 4-0 series win over India, has been dropped with selectors hoping he can find form before the Caribbean tour in the Sheffield Shield.
“Shaun Marsh is obviously disappointed with his own form in recent weeks and is out of the side but remains in our thinking for the future while he works at state level,” Inverarity said.
“As they say, class is permanent but form can be temporary.”
Marsh’s younger brother Mitchell has also been picked in the ODI squad, but he will miss the first two matches to play a Shield game against Queensland.
Australian ODI squad: Michael Clarke (capt), David Warner, Ricky Ponting, Peter Forrest, Dan Christian, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Matthew Wade, Brett Lee, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Doherty, Clint McKay, Mitch Marsh.
