As Australia struggles with injury issues ahead of the first Day-Night Test against India, former captain Michael Clarke has suggested that the in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade can be a makeshift opener for the hosts in the absence of injured David Warner.
Ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Warner was ruled out of the opening Test of the four-match Test series due to a groin injury that he suffered in the second ODI against India and then Joe Burns' awful form with the bat has only increased the worries for the hosts.
However, Australia has had a good option in the in-form youngster Will Pucovski to replace Warner in Australia’s Playing XI, but now, he looks a doubtful starter for the Day-Night Test starting December 17 at Adelaide Oval after suffering a concussion in a warm-up game against India A. Will was hit dangerously on the head by Indian pacer Kartik Tyagi in Sydney.
Well, Cameron Green is the latest player who is making a strong case for his Test selection after he hammered a hundred against India ‘A’ in the recent tour game and given the scenario, Clarke feels Wade should be pushed up the batting order against India.
Clarke told AAP: “If you're going to pick (all-rounder) Cameron Green then you've got to find another spot for Wadey. 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.”
Noteworthy, Wade, who hit back-to-back half-centuries in the last two T20Is against India, has never batted higher than No. 5 in Test cricket, but played as an open for Australia in 10 ODIs and averaged 30.60 with the highest score of 75.
(With PTI Inputs)
