Tough for Matthew Wade to retain his position for next Test, says Allan Border

The loss in the first Test in Mirpur has opened up a lot of questions for Australia. Their sub-continental record in the last one year is appalling: 6 losses out of 8 Tests but the most recent one against Bangladesh has sent shockwaves in the Australian camp. They are under enormous pressure to win the final Test in Chittagong in order to save themselves from the blushes.

A few Australian players under pressure

Usman Khawaja and Matthew Wade will find it difficult to hold on to their spots for the next game which kicks off on Sunday. Khawaja, who was slotted to bat at No. 3, could manage to score 1 run in each innings after facing 8 balls collectively. He has scored runs in the last Australian Test summer and might just get another opportunity. Matthew Wade’s position, though, is under immense scrutiny after the 29-year old’s forgettable show across five days behind as well as in front of the stumps.

The stumper conceded as many as 30 byes across both innings in a low scoring game which Australia lost by 20 runs. He was at sea against the spinning deliveries of Lyon and Agar while displaying an ordinary technique behind the stumps. He could last for just 22 balls across both innings after registering scores of 5 and 4. Former legend Allan Border was not sure if Wade could find a spot in Chittagong.

“I think Matty Wade’s position in the side is another question mark,” Border told Fox Sports News.

“He really struggled behind the stumps, which is his key role, and again with the bat.”

Border recommends Handscomb as a keeper

Border suggested that Peter Handscomb, who keeps wicket part-time, could be seen as a makeshift arrangement for the next Test which will also open up a spot in the middle order. Though he maintained that the essential job for Handscomb is to get runs but the right-hander can finish this tour till Australia look into wicket-keeping options available.

“So they may look at putting Handscomb in as the wicketkeeper and playing an extra batsman,” Border continued.

“I thought (Wade’s) keeping was improving, but once you go to the subcontinent you really test your skills out there.

“It’s difficult, but 30 byes in that last Test match was pretty telling, wasn’t it?

“He’s not producing enough runs with the bat to compensate for the keeping. So he’s the one under the most pressure.

“(Handscomb) is a possibility. I think he’s more suited to batting and just doing a bit of keeping on tour.

“But he’s got the goods and if he worked hard on it he could probably do it. But I think it’s more of a stop-gap situation for Pete. I’d rather see him just concentrate on his batting and we get a good keeper to do the job there and leave him to score some runs.”

The primary objective of the Smith-led side is to avoid a series defeat next week. With the Ashes looming large, Australia need to quickly identify the right man to be behinds the stumps.