Experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade is committed to supporting Tasmania in their quest for the first Sheffield Shield title in a decade.
He is willing to forego a portion of his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with the Gujarat Titans to participate in the Sheffield Shield final, scheduled from March 21-25, which means he will miss the IPL season opener against the Mumbai Indians on March 25.
The Gujarat Titans’ upcoming fixtures include matches against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 27 and the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 31.
Wade has requested and received approval from the Gujarat Titans to participate in the Sheffield Shield final, even though it slightly overlaps with the commencement of the IPL season.
“He’s spoken with his IPL franchise and they’re happy to allow him to stay here, which probably equates to him potentially missing their first game.”
“We feel very fortunate to have someone of Matt’s ilk coming back into our group, and his experience and his performances at the back end of our season,” Tasmania head coach Jeff Vaughan told reporters in Hobart.
In Tasmania’s recent 57-run victory against his former team Victoria, Wade contributed scores of 32 and 5 runs in the first and second innings, respectively.
Matthew Wade has been associated with the Tasmania team since the 2017-18 season
With 164 first-class appearances to his credit since debuting in 2007, Matthew Wade, a seasoned player, offers a wealth of skill and experience. Initially part of the Victoria team, he later transitioned to Tasmania, his birthplace, before the 2017-18 season.
In his inaugural season with Tasmania, Wade showcased his prowess by scoring a courageous hundred in the final. Unfortunately, despite his efforts, Queensland emerged victorious in the title match.
Tasmania suffered their only defeat in the current Sheffield Shield season against New South Wales. Leading the table with five victories and three draws, they have one remaining match against South Australia scheduled for March 11.
The competition for the second finalist position is ongoing. A victory in their last league-stage game would guarantee Tasmania a spot in the final, to be held in Hobart.
Scott Boland, presently a member of the Australian squad in New Zealand, might also be released to participate in the crucial encounter between second-placed Victoria and third-placed Western Australia, marking the conclusion of the Sheffield Shield league stage.
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