Australian wicketkeepers have always had a lot to say behind the stumps and it was no surprise to see Matthew Wade following that legacy on day three of the third Test between Australia and South Africa at Adelaide. However, not only did Wade’s words not bring the desired outcome (i.e., wicket) it also got him trolled on air by Kevin Pietersen, who was on commentary at the time.
After losing the series following their defeat at Hobart, Australia made plenty of changes, one of which was the replacement of Peter Nevill with Matthew Wade. And judging by his exploits on day three of the final Test, it looks as though he got the nod for his ability to be vocal behind the stumps as well as his batting.
Soon after South Africa took the lead, Josh Hazlewood was bowling to Stephen Cook and that is when Matthew Wade got into the action by sharing a few words that was designed to motivate the bowler into picking up a wicket or two. But what happened after that was something that Wade couldn’t have foreseen.
After Cook defended a ball back towards the bowler, here is what the 28-year-old keeper said: “Come on boys.Bad shot here boys and we start a roll here. One bad shot, it’ll open the door here boys! Come on lads”
To which Kevin Pietersen, who was on commentary at the time, immediately said: “One bad shot is going to bring Faf du Plessis in mate (which brought a few chuckles in the commentary box). He has just got a hundred and is in very good form, Wadey.”
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When his co commentator added that Wade has got some stamina and has been sledging the batsman and responding to the crowd as well, Pietersen just said: “can we turn him off please.”
Wade, who was blissfully unaware of what was happening in the commentary box at the time though didn’t stop there as he continued chipping away. “Come on boys, open the door here,” he continued. “Come on, two newies out here, come on. Open the door for us here, Hoffey (Hazlewood). Come on, you ought to start a collapse here boys, come on.”
Here is the video of the entire incident.
However, if the barrage of words were supposed to unsettle Stephen Cook, who has had a torrid time in the series, it certainly didn’t work out. As the opening batsman ended the day unbeaten on 81, scoring his maiden Test fifty outside South Africa in the process.
It went a lot better for his team though as JP Duminy’s dismissal, which brought Faf du Plessis to the crease, didn’t cost them as much as it did in the first innings as the Proteas skipper was dismissed for just 12 by Mitchell Starc. And two late wickets by Nathan Lyon meant the Proteas ended the day losing six wickets with a lead of just 70.
Even if it is Australia who hold all the cards at the end of day three, Wade’s decision to sledge Cook certainly didn’t get the desired outcome and if anything, only reiterated the belief that his ability to be vocal behind the stumps was indeed one of the reasons for his selection and got him trolled
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