JLT Cup: Matthew Wade scores record-breaking century as Tasmania trounce Victoria

Angus Reid

JLT Cup: Matthew Wade scores record-breaking century as Tasmania trounce Victoria image

Matthew Wade has sent a timely reminder to Australian selectors ahead of next year's World Cup in his first match of the domestic season.

The former Aussie wicket-keeper hit a blistering century for Tasmania against his former state Victoria on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old brought up triple figures off just 65 balls, making it the fourth fastest hundred in Australian domestic one-day history, and also the fastest ever hundred by a Tasmanian.


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Wade's terrific knock ended on 117 from just 74 balls after he was trapped LBW via a clever slower delivery from left-armer Jackson Coleman.

Tasmania posted 8-321 from their 50 overs, with Jake Doran (32), Jordan Silk (23), George Bailey (25) and Simon Milenko (30) all contributing.

Peter Nevill, another former national gloveman and now NSW skipper, was recently ruled out of his side's entire JLT Cup campaign with a broken thumb.

This means that Wade has shot back up the pegging order for national wicket-keepers, though he is probably third in line.

Tim Paine, the current Australian captain, doesn't look like losing his spot anytime soon, while South Australian youngster Alex Carey has been touted as the next big thing.

Carey was chosen to represent Australia A in their recent tour of India, but the 27-year-old failed to cement his spot as the backup wicket-keeper after posting just one half-century from his six innings in the subcontinent.

Despite good form in BBL07 in 2017/18, Wade believed that his Australian playing days were over.

"When you get dropped from all formats, in summer, I would be surprised if they (national selectors) go back to me," Wade said back in February.

"I’m disappointed that I didn’t get picked in the one-dayers but that’s just what it is, and my international career is probably a long way away from coming back.

"Alex Carey’s playing good cricket, I would assume he’d be the next option for Australia in short format.

"But I’m comfortable with that.

"I understand that, it’s a reality for me."

If the powerful hitter continues to make runs as he did against Victoria, he might earn himself a spot on the plane to England to next year for Cricket's most prestigious short-form tournament.

It was the first time that Wade had played against his former state after deciding to leave the Bushrangers and move back to his hometown of Hobart.

Scoring runs against former teammate Glenn Maxwell, who was recently omitted from the Australia Test squad, must be sweet considering the reportedly turbulent relationship the duo share.


Maxwell was hoping to continue his strong start to the season on Wednesday after scoring 84 in Victoria's opening JLT Cup match.

However, chasing quick runs against the Tigers, Maxwell was caught in the deep off Clive Rose's spin as Victoria fell 65 runs short.

Only Marcus Harris (69) fired for the Vics, who were bowled out for 256.

Angus Reid

Angus Reid Photo