Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

[bulldogtragic]

To be fair, I have no patience for Shaun Marsh before another single digit score today (run out or otherwise). My hobby horse has been playing Matt Wade as a specialist lower order batsman. He's already ahead of Marsh at test match level:

Marsh: 16 tests, average 33, 2 centuries
Wade: 12 tests, average 34, 2 centuries

I know Wade had a collar bone break a couple of weeks ago, but if he's fit I'd like to see Wade play as a specialist batsman against the windies and see what happens. Thoughts?

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

I just didn't get the Shaun Marsh selection. You want the most in form/best short term= Klinger. You want a batsman for the future= Bancroft (move Burns to 3). I guess Marsh does have that boys club appeal.

[GVGjr]

Re: Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

Wade is a good cricketer and a particularly good batsman however, I'm not a fan.

I don't mind the suggestion of playing him as a specialist batsman but I would prefer to look at others because I think he is just short of the mark.
I would have Handscomb and Bancroft ahead of him

Shaun Marsh is a talented cricketer who looks like he can bat anywhere but he is frequently short on delivery when it matters.

Given that we have Voges locked in and Khawaja awaiting a return I'd go with Bancroft, Handscomb or maybe Madinson ahead of Wade.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

I also rate Handscomb ahead of S Marsh. Maxwell looks anything but a test player when he has his brain farts but other than how terrible it looks, is their anything to suggest Maxwell is actually less reliable as a test player than Marsh? Maxwell's FC average is surprisingly 40+. Marsh is very much prone to single digit scores, it may not involve him reverse sweeping etc but no way he gets ahead of Maxwell on 'reliability'. Anyway, Bancroft, Handscomb and Klinger all ahead of them.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

I just didn't get the Shaun Marsh selection. You want the most in form/best short term= Klinger. You want a batsman for the future= Bancroft (move Burns to 3). I guess Marsh does have that boys club appeal.

No comment .

[Twodogs]

Re: Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

Hands up who thought Marsh would get 10 yesterday? I thought it'd be single digit or a century.

He's constantly suprising me. Let's give him another test.

[Twodogs]

Re: Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

Having said all that he will probably take 6/15 in the NZ innings to win the match.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

Like most, don't get S.Marsh at all and see him certainly gone (both Marshes in fact). I can't really find a spot for Wade as the replacement though, particularly for S.Marsh at No.3.If the selectors definitely want the replacement to bat 3, I'd go for Callum Ferguson. With a slight tinkering of the order, our other keeper Handscomb could be an option, maybe at 4 or 5, could also see Bailey as a possibility, other than those already mentioned.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

Mitch Marsh is an interesting one. At the moment I would have him in as a bowling all-rounder batting at 7 with Nevill at 6.

[GVGjr]

Re: Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

Time to have another look at the suggestion of Wade being played as a specialist batsmen in the test environment.

Does he have what it takes?

If he gave away wicket keeping all together I could imagine his batting performances would improve but could he really be a consistent top 6 batting option?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

I think it's worth a go as a batsman only. He's scored centuries at test level down the order, so it's worth the trial. The majority of batsman around at the moment all have been openers (Warner, Burns, Marsh, Khawaja, Bancroft etc) so I'd like to look at lower middle batsman and he fits the bill in my humble opinion.

[GVGjr]

Re: Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

I think it's worth a go as a batsman only. He's scored centuries at test level down the order, so it's worth the trial. The majority of batsman around at the moment all have been openers (Warner, Burns, Marsh, Khawaja, Bancroft etc) so I'd like to look at lower middle batsman and he fits the bill in my humble opinion.

He does have a lot of potential with his batting but he would need to give the keeping gloves away now to make it happen.
With the return of Khawaja, the form of Burns, Voges consolidating his spot and (the potential of a gun bat pad fieldsman) Bancroft knocking on the door we he have certainly improved our batting depth from the start of the season.
The other option is to drop the allrounder from number 6 which might open things up for Wade.

Wade needs to get a rattle on if he really wants to get back into the test side.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

He does have a lot of potential with his batting but he would need to give the keeping gloves away now to make it happen.
With the return of Khawaja, the form of Burns, Voges consolidating his spot and (the potential of a gun bat pad fieldsman) Bancroft knocking on the door we he have certainly improved our batting depth from the start of the season.
The other option is to drop the allrounder from number 6 which might open things up for Wade.

Wade needs to get a rattle on if he really wants to get back into the test side.

Completely agree on the keeping, it's poor. I'm not sold on Mitch Marsh and the fact is Mitch Starc is the 3rd ranked all rounder in ICC rankings. Wade, Neville & Starc is a very solid lower middle order. Pattinson, Lyon & Hazlewood is a good tail too.

I don't think losing Marsh's bowling is that massive aof a loss. Starc, Patto, Cummins & Hazlewood are excellent for three spots and Lyon is the best spinner in the world arguably right now. Smith, Warner & Voges are enough as part timers.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

Completely agree on the keeping, it's poor. I'm not sold on Mitch Marsh and the fact is Mitch Starc is the 3rd ranked all rounder in ICC rankings. Wade, Neville & Starc is a very solid lower middle order. Pattinson, Lyon & Hazlewood is a good tail too.

I don't think losing Marsh's bowling is that massive aof a loss. Starc, Patto, Cummins & Hazlewood are excellent for three spots and Lyon is the best spinner in the world arguably right now. Smith, Warner & Voges are enough as part timers.

I think selectors are hooked on a 5th bowler though. With cricket being played more often and pacemen breaking down more regularly, the days of 3 man fast bowling units being asked to bowl 25-30 overs each with little break between spells are just about gone.

[GVGjr]

Re: Time to play Wade as a specialist Test batsman?

I think selectors are hooked on a 5th bowler though. With cricket being played more often and pacemen breaking down more regularly, the days of 3 man fast bowling units being asked to bowl 25-30 overs each with little break between spells are just about gone.

I agree, I also tend to think the only player that will remove Mitch Marsh on form or conditions rather than injury will be Maxwell.