Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin says the keeping spot is Matthew Wade’s to lose heading into next week’s opening Ashes Test.
Wade has struggled to make runs in the Shield season, tallying a total of just 38 runs in his last five innings with Tasmania. However, other keeping options, including Peter Nevill and Alex Carey have also underwhelmed, leaving the selectors with a conundrum ahead of the Gabba Test.
West Australian Cameron Bancroft has been a bolter with his large scores, but he could replace the out-of-form Matt Renshaw at the top of the order.
Haddin is of the notion Wade hasn’t done anything to surrender his place in the team, saying he still holds the advantage, as he is the incumbent.
“The selectors made no bones leading into the first three Shield games that Matthew Wade’s spot was up for debate,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“At the moment, it’s still Matthew’s spot. Cameron Bancroft, over the past couple of weeks, has had his name thrown up, as have Peter Nevill and Alex Carey.
“It’s Matthew Wade’s spot to lose, but I don’t mind the guys playing under pressure in the first three games, knowing there is a spot available.”
The former Australian vice-captain believes Wade has fallen victim to the modern-day expectations of keepers being run makers. However, he disagrees with the theory, explaining why the best pure wicketkeeper must complement Australia’s daunting bowling attack.
“I think first and foremost we should pick the first wicketkeeper, and especially with the cartel of fast bowlers we have got at the moment, and a world-class spinner in Nathan Lyon,” Haddin said.
“We need the wicketkeeper to be taking all the chances. It hasn’t been Matthew’s wicketkeeping that they’ve spoken about; it’s been his batting. The landscape now of the wicketkeeper is you need to be able to contribute with the bat.”
The Ashes begin with the First Test on Thursday in Brisbane.