Follow UsAustralia’s incumbent T20I wicket-keeper Matthew Wade believes that there is ‘no doubt’ that Western Australia’s Josh Inglis will succeed him as the country’s long-term wicket-keeper in the shortest format, but is keeping his ‘fingers crossed’ that the takeover only happens post the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.
Inglis played as a specialist batter in the T20I series against Sri Lanka at home in February and impressed big time, amassing 155 runs at a strike rate of 143.51. He then followed it up with an impressive 15-ball 24 in the one-off T20I against Pakistan in Lahore in April.
Inglis is currently warming the bench, but Wade is certain that the 27-year-old, down the line, will succeed him as the Kangaroos’ wicket-keeper in the shortest format.
"There’s no doubt at all,” Wade said, when asked if he sees Inglis as his successor.
“We’ve had a look at a few wicketkeeper-batter options over the last 12 months in T20 internationals and I think Josh (Inglis) was the one that’s certainly put his hand up.
“He’s been around the squad now for a period of time, so I have no doubt that he’ll be the next one that gets the opportunity.
“Fingers crossed that’s a little bit down the track after the World Cup.”
Wade believes that Inglis is ready for international cricket, but the wicket-keeper is of the opinion that the Perth Scorchers star will have to wait for his turn owing to the star-power in the first XI.
“He’s going to get plenty of chances to play international cricket,” Wade said.
“I know he’s ready to go right now and if the opportunity comes up, then he’ll play (but) I don’t really want anyone to go out of the team.
“It’d be great to see him play, but unfortunately at times you’ve got to wait for an opportunity to come up.”
Should Inglis be drafted into the starting XI, it’d be either in place of Steve Smith or Wade himself. The 34-year-old, however, believes that he’s ‘got a few credits in the bank’ having been an integral part of the T20I set-up in the past 12 months. Wade played a key hand in Australia’s T20 World Cup win in the UAE, smashing an unbeaten 41* (17) against Pakistan in the semi-finals.
“I’d like to think over the last 12 months that I’ve been an integral part of the T20 team,” Wade said.
“My performances probably speak for themselves.
“I feel like my keeping over the last two years has been as good as it’s ever been.
“I feel pretty comfortable in the role the moment. That can change quickly, obviously, but I’d like to think I’ve got a few credits in the bank at this stage.”