Tasmanian cricketer Matthew Wade will miss the start of the Indian Premier League to play the Sheffield Shield final, prioritising domestic duties over the lucrative T20 tournament.
Last week, Tasmania booked its spot in the Sheffield Shield decider after a tense 57-run win over Victoria in Hobart, while the Tigers will secure a home final if they defeat South Australia at Bellerive Oval next week.
Speaking to reporters in Hobart on Friday, Tasmanian coach Jeff Vaughan confirmed that former captain Wade would be available for the Sheffield Shield final, which commences on March 21
Wade, who represents the Gujarat Titians in the IPL, will subsequently miss the franchise’s season opener against Mumbai Indians on March 25 after electing to delay his departure, while he’s also in doubt for the second match against the Chennai Super Kings on March 27.
“We have had those conversations, and he is around for the Shield final,” Vaughan said.
“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.”
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Wade won four Sheffield Shield titles during his ten-year tenure with Victoria, while Tasmania has not won the first-class competition since 2012/13.
Australia’s T20 gloveman opened the batting for the first time in his Sheffield Shield career during last week’s victory over Victoria, scoring 32 and 5 for the hosts.
“He was very open to whatever it took from the team’s perspective; he certainly doesn’t want to come in and put people out of position,” Vaughan said.
“The conversation went around opening. He said, ‘Yep, I’m up for it, love to have a new challenge’.
“And we think he did a pretty good job last (game) and he’ll certainly do it again.”
Wade, who was purchased by Gujarat for $446,000 ahead of the franchise’s inaugural season, won an IPL title with the Titans in 2022, scoring 157 runs in ten matches with a strike rate of at 113.76 during the campaign. The 36-year-old didn’t play last season, with Indian wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha preferred.
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