Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has been named to replace a rested Brad Haddin for Australia’s five-match one day international series against South Africa next month.
The promising keeper has struggled to gain favour with Australian selectors after making his last Test appearance against India in March 2013, but will be given every chance to reprise his spot in the first two matches of a five game series against the No.1 ranked Proteas in November.
“I’ve got the opportunity to play two more games for Australia and then Hadds will probably come back so I’ll just take it for what it is,” said Wade, who hasn’t appeared in an international ODI since facing England in January.
The 37-year-old Haddin will be given some extra recuperation time following the current tour against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates before making an expected return midway through next month’s series.
Both players will be in line to take the gloves when Australia and New Zealand host next year’s one-day World Cup in February and March, however the 26-year-old Wade is coming off a mixed performance for Victoria in the recent domestic one-day cup.
“I felt like I was hitting the ball well but the runs weren’t quite on the board for me in that tournament,” he said.
“I felt like my keeping improved out of sight and that was probably the positive for me.”
Also included in the squad is 23-year-old fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who steps in for the Sheffield Shield bound James Faulkner and Mitch Starc.
Michael Clarke returns as captain after sitting out this month’s 3-0 ODI series sweep of Pakistan while Shane Watson replaces Phil Hughes.
A three-match ODI series will kick off on Wednesday, November five before the ODI series launches a two-match stand at the WACA in Perth on Friday, November 14 and Sunday the 16th. The final three games will played at Canberra’s Manuka Oval (19th), the MCG (21st) and SCG (23rd).
Australian Squad v South Africa: Michael Clarke (c), George Bailey (v-c), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood. Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Matt Wade, David Warner, Shane Watson.
Photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
