Keeper Wade good to go for India tour game

Matthew Wade has recovered from back spasms and will face India A in Mumbai, but the wicketkeeper will need to manage the issue in Australia's four-Test series.

Matthew Wade will play Australia's tour game that starts on Friday, but the keeper admits he'll have to manage a recurring back issue during the Test series in India.

Wade has been sidelined since tweaking his back two-and-a-half weeks ago while training in Auckland. He required a cortisone injection after pulling out of that ODI tour.

The 29-year-old had skipped Australia's intra-squad game in Dubai but will return at Mumbai's Cricket Club of India, where the tourists face India A in a three-day contest.

It is the squad's only tune-up before the four-Test series starts next Thursday in Pune. Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns will cast a keen eye on proceedings, although the green-tinged strip is likely to be the antithesis of the Pune pitch.

Hohns and coach Darren Lehmann, attempting to snap Australia's nine-Test losing streak in Asia, will spend the next seven days agonising over their attack and who should bat at No.6.

But Wade's fitness will not be a concern, according to the man himself.

"I'll be fine to play the tour game leading into the first Test. It's come up good the last week so I'm all good to go," Wade said in Mumbai, adding he wouldn't require ongoing painkilling jabs.

"It's just something that I'll have to manage. Obviously, the scheduling and then getting off a plane, it just went on me.

"The disc just bulged a little bit. It just hit one of the nerves so it took a little while to come right.

"I've done the same thing before in other tours and it usually comes right overnight but this one took a little bit longer, so it's just something I have to keep on top of."

There are no plans for Peter Nevill, who has scored three first-class tons since being axed in favour of Wade during a mid-summer overhaul of the Test XI, or any other keeper be flown in as cover.

Peter Handscomb took the gloves throughout the recent ODI series, while he also filled in when Wade was sick during last month's SCG Test.

Hohns indicated earlier this month Handscomb could keep for an entire Test in India if Wade ended up as a last-minute withdrawal.

"It's not in the back of my mind," Wade said, when asked about the prospect of more back spasms next week.

"Touch wood, it doesn't happen again but, if it does, I'm confident that I can turn it around pretty quick."

Team doctor Peter Brukner's most pressing concern since landing in Mumbai has been Lehmann. The coach has donned an eye patch as he continues to recover from conjunctivitis.

Wade's back will be tested throughout some long and sapping days in stifling subcontinent heat.

But the stumper believed Australia's bid to trump the top-ranked Test side would be more of a mental than physical challenge.

"It's about trying to stay up and about for four Tests in a row in a tough country, against a really good opposition," Wade said.

"I've got to be prepared for that and, obviously coming here before (in 2013), makes a big difference."


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Source: AAP



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