Micheal Clarke wants to see wicket-keeper Matthew Wade in the Ashes

Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke wants Matthew Wade to safeguard the stumps during the home Ashes series against England, starting on November 23 in Brisbane. It is expected that Wade will be Australia’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the Ashes. However, the pressure is intensifying on the Australian selectors as he scored runs at an average of 20 with the bat since his Test call last summer.

During the Sheffield Shield, Wade failed to reach double figures while his glove work was under scrutiny. Owing to his sorry performance in the domestic tournament Wade is facing a tough challenge from Peter Nevill. Nevill has not played for Australia since he was one of the five players who was dropped from the team after losing the home series to South Africa in Hobert.

Clarkes believes the decision to axe Nevill from the team at that time wasn’t required. “That was a complete circus what happened after that South African Test series,” Clarke told Channel Nine’s Sports Sunday. “But they dropped Nevill. They made that tough decision. Now that they’ve done that they have to stick with Matthew Wade. His last 10 Test matches have been in the sub-continent,” he added.

Wade made his debut under Clarke’s captaincy in the West Indies in 2012, before he was replaced by Brad Haddin in 2013. Since being recalled last summer, he has passed 50 just once in 16 Test innings. But, Clarke’s best is ahead of him and he has potential to do well. “Yes, he might not have batted as well as we expect him to bat,” he said.

“But this guy can play. I’ve seen him make two unbelievable centuries – one in the West Indies and one at the SCG. His keeping has definitely improved. They have to give him an opportunity, they have to start with him.”

Wade faces competition from Nevill and Alex Carey

Since Haddin’s retirement from international cricket, Wade is vying for the slot alongside Nevill and Alex Carey. However, both Nevill and Carey missed chances to solidify their claims in the second round of the Sheffield Shield this weekend.