'On-fire' Wade has 'out of form' Haddin looking down the barrel

Jamaican Times (ANI) Monday 6th February, 2012

Matthew Wade's impressive performance against India in the first One-Day international is putting more pressure on the out of form wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

He scored a well played half-century against India on his debut and presented a strong case in front of the Australian selectors to retain him beyond the first three One-Day matches.

Wade's 67 from 69 balls was the sixth-highest score by an Australian debutant in ODI history and helped Australia beat India by 65 runs in a rain affected match yesterday at the MCG.

His wicket keeping is also not letting him down after he snapped up two catches to dismiss Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma.

Wade performed brilliantly during the two Twenty matches against India scoring 72 runs as an opener in the first match and 32 at the lower order in the second match.

But Wade isn't thinking beyond the first three One-Day matches.

"If you look too far ahead you don't know what is going to happen. It's a pretty fickle game that we play so you've got to live in the moment and concentrate on the next ball," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Wade, as saying.

He revealed that he loves every moment of playing international cricket and representing his country.

"It's every kid's dream to put on the Australian kit and walk out at the MCG so I am loving every minute of it at the moment. I definitely feel like I am keeping as well as I ever have," he added.

Wade said he is currently feeling at the summit of his game and things are going great for him.

"To be in the environment of the Australian cricket team I am catching more balls every day and things are going really well, so I feel on top of my game," he further added.

Wade could also be kept as a specialist batsman in the team even if Haddin is recalled, but it is hard to see how the veteran wicketkeeper could tip Wade out of the side given his commanding form. (ANI)