Australia drop Matthew Wade for South Africa Test series but retain Travis Head in squad
Out-of-nick Wade overlooked after disappointing run against India but selectors keep faith in Travis Head, while Will Pucovski, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson are also included in squad after injuries; dates for series yet to be confirmed due to coronavirus complications
Wednesday 27 January 2021 11:26, UK
Australia have dropped Matthew Wade from their Test squad for the tour of South Africa after his lean series against India.
Wade, who scored 173 runs at an average of 21.62 in four Tests against India, will instead head to New Zealand with Australia's Twenty20 squad for a five-match series starting on February 22.
The selectors have handed a place in the Test squad to middle-order batsman Travis Head, however, despite dropping him after the first two Tests against India followings scores of seven, 38 and 17.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey has also been named in the 19-man squad along with another uncapped player in Queensland paceman Mark Steketee.
Selector Trevor Hohns said Carey was picked as a back-up wicketkeeper to captain Tim Paine but could make the team on the strength of his batting.
Openers Will Pucovski and David Warner, and fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson, have all been selected despite suffering recent injuries.
The Australian and South African cricket boards have yet to sign-off on dates for the three-Test tour as authorities in South Africa battle to contain COVID-19 infections.
Australia also released an 18-man Twenty20 squad for the New Zealand tour, which includes uncapped players Tanveer Sangha, a 19-year-old leg-spinner, wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Philippe and paceman Riley Meredith.
Test squad: Tim Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
T20 squad: Aaron Finch (capt), Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, DArcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa
