India vs Australia : “He could open the batting if need be” – Michael Clarke calls for Matthew Wade to open in Adelaide Test


India vs Australia : “He could open the batting if need be” – Michael Clarke calls for Matthew Wade to open in Adelaide Test

Matthew Wade

Matthew Wade
Matthew Wade

Ahead of the much-awaited Border Gavaskar series, young all-rounder Cameron Green has presented the team management with a “good” headache. Green starred in the first tour game against India A as he scored a ton and scalped a couple of wickets bolstering his chances for a Test debut in the series opener. But veteran Matthew Wade‘s fine form since Ashes 2019 has posed a difficult question for the think tank. The management is slated to make a tough call about who will make it to the middle order for the Test series.

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With Will Pucovski, deemed as injured David Warner‘s replacement, reeling with a concussion, Michael Clarke backs Wade to open the innings. Clarke deems this as the best option to accommodate both Wade and Green in the side. The former Australia captain went on to add that leaving Wade out for the youngster’s all-round ability will be unfair.

If you’re going to pick Cameron Green then you’ve got to find another spot for Wadey,” Clarke told Australian Associated Press. “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.

Nothing wrong with being excited about youngsters

Cameron Green and Will Pucovski
Cameron Green and Will Pucovski

Going into the series, the Aussies face a peculiar dilemma, on which has risen due to abundance of young talent. Young talents Pucovski and Green have been making quite a lot of noise for some time now. This has left the think tank with no way but make choices of either dropping experienced players or benching the bright prospects.

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And Clarke feels that the team management should not hesitate in promoting them. The former World Cup winning skipper debuted at a tender age of 23 and hence goes on to advocate the importance of encouraging young talents.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with promoting these two youngsters and being excited about how talented they are,” Clarke further said.

We always need to remember that sport at the highest level is very hard and you’ve got to expect that there’s going to be some great times and there’s going to be some tough times. As long as we appreciate that as a fan then I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be super excited.

The Test series kicks off with a pink ball Test in Adelaide from December 17. Prior to it, the sides will play a day and night warm-up game which will be featuring the big guns of both sides.

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Also read : Ian Chappell lauds Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy ahead of the first Test