Australia on Wednesday (January 27) dropped Matthew Wade from the Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa while under-fire Tim Paine retained the captaincy.
Wade was found out during the recently held Test series against India at home, which Australia lost 2-1. The southpaw featured in all the four Tests and amassed only 173 runs at an abysmal average of 21.62.
Alex Carey has replaced Wade in the squad as a back-up wicketkeeper batsman.
Instead, Wade has been picked in the T20I squad for the tour of New Zealand. He will play the role of Aaron Finch’s deputy in the five T20Is against the Black Caps, slated to run from February 22 to March 7.
While the schedule for South Africa series is yet to be released, Cricket Australia on Wednesday (January 27) reiterated its commitment to making the trip, with the three Tests expected to take place in March or April.
Since the South Africa tour might clash with New Zealand T20Is, Australia’s didn’t name the likes of David Warner, Steve Smith and Pat Cummins in the shortest format squad.
Despite Australia’s embarrassing series loss to India at home, Wade was the only one to be axed. The squad otherwise remains much the same, with uncapped bowlers Sean Abbott, Michael Neser, and Mitchell Swepson are again included. Mark Steketee and Carey are the only new additions.
Paine had copped a lot of criticism for his captaincy and below-par wicketkeeping against India but he managed to retain the high-profile position.
"Tim Paine was excellent at number seven against India and as a batsman, wicketkeeper and captain still has much to offer in the Test arena," National Selector Trevor Hohns said.
The absence of several T20 regulars saw three uncapped players, including teenage leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha, making it to the squad. The other rookies are opener and gloveman Josh Philippe and fast bowler Riley Meredith.
Australia’s squad for South Africa Tests: Tim Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
Australia’s squad for New Zealand T20Is: Aaron Finch (capt), Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, D'Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa
(With AFP inputs)
