Wade keen for upcoming challenges
Mon, 1 March 2010
Matthew Wade says Sunday night's Ford Ranger Cup loss has made the Victorians even more determined to finish their season strongly and defend this summer's Sheffield Shield title on home soil. On the eve of the important round 9 match against Western Australia, Wade says the Bushrangers are proud of their record at all three levels this summer and have worked too hard not to give everything this week and next in the final two qualifying matches. "We limped our way through the last three or four (one day) games, but we're still disappointed not to have won it once we got there," he said. "Our bowling stocks aren't great right now. Australian selections and injuries undoubtedly hurt us a bit, but we live and learn from these mistakes and we hope to do well in Perth and back home again next week (against Tasmania). Wade says Victoria's firm aim is to win both matches and hit the Shield final running. "We're looking forward to getting six to 12 points," he said. "If things go to plan and we can host again this year it'll be happy days for us." With a career batting average of 40-plus combined with his dismissals average of four a game, Wade has been one of Victoria's most improved along with allrounder John Hastings, the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year. Wade has played 30 games this summer and Hastings all 31, testimony of their importance at all three levels. The next most-capped Victorian players this summer are Andrew McDonald and David Hussey with 28. It was Wade's run out late in the Ford Ranger finale on Sunday night which truly signalled an end to Victoria's hopes. "Basically I ran myself out just at the wrong time," he said. "Ronnie (McDonald) and I wanted to get it down to around 10 an over with 10 overs to spare. "It wasn't to be. But that's cricket. We'll be coming back hard, hopefully from Wednesday onwards." The Bushrangers have regained David Hussey from Australian Twenty20 duties and have included leg-spinner Bryce McGain in the squad after Jon Holland was ruled out with a shoulder injury. The left-arm spinner aggravated his shoulder playing Premier Cricket on the weekend and is currently being assessed by specialists. Rob Quiney, who had been sidelined with a groin injury, is also in the 12 for his first Shield game in a month since making 6 & 153 against Tasmania at Bellerive. The Vics remain four points clear of Queensland at the top of the Shield table, with two games to go and hosting rights still up for grabs. The DEC Bushrangers' 12-man squad for the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield match v WA at the WACA, from March 3-6 is: David Hussey (c), Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Michael Hill, Nick Jewell, Andrew McDonald, Bryce McGain, Darren Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Chris Rogers, Matthew Wade and Damien Wright (one to be omitted) The Bushrangers have won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five games against WA in Perth.
Ken Piesse
