Maligned Aussie opener compiles another century

Wade pulls towards the boundary against Northamptonshire for Australia A.

A much maligned, Australian left handed opening batsman continued his rich vein of form, by piling off yet another century in England overnight.

No, it's not David Warner. It's Matthew Wade. His 67 ball 117 included 18 fours and 3 sixes as he guided Australia A to a comfortable win over Northampton at the start of the Australia A tour of the UK.

His innings was the standout feature of an efficient performance from a side busting with international experience. Wade, playing as a specialist batsman, still harbors the hopes of resurrecting his international career despite being overlooked during a prolific 2018 and 2019, the form of which does not seem to have dissipated after a brief off-season.

In the middle-order, discarded Peter Handscomb combiled 64 off 57, with 8 fours, as many still question how he was not included in the World Cup squad, while Mitch Marsh 40 not out off just 45 balls.

Marsh also picked up 2 for 41 off 8 overs, whilst Ashton Agar (3/55) and Josh Hazelwood (2/51) also made impressive starts to the tour as the Australian's held Northamptonshire to 262 for 9 off their 50 overs.

However, it was mostly about Wade as he flayed 18 fours and three sixes in a powerful display with the Northamptonshire attack powerless to stop him. He added a rapid opening stand of 58 with D'Arcy Short - his partner contributing just 7 - then put on 85 in 10 overs with captain Travis Head. When he fell in just the 21st over, Wade had scored 117 of the 170 runs leaving a simple task for the middle order to finish things off with 14 overs to spare.

With the ball in hand, Hazlewood only had to wait until his third over to strike when he trapped Richard Levi lbw, but the Northamptonshire top order put in a solid display. Rob Newton (53) and Josh Cobb (49) added 92 before Marsh and Agar started to make inroads.

Alex Wakely also struck a half-century but when he fell to Agar in the 43rd over the lower order couldn't lift the tempo although an unbroken final-wicket stand of 30 meant the home side batted out their overs.

THE STAR

Matt Wade starred for Australia A with a brilliant 117.

Striking at almost 200, Matt Wade made yet another statement to Australian cricket as he bludgeoned the Northamptonshire bowlers to all parts of the Northampton County Ground. He was the main contributor to the first three partnerships and will hope to continue his great form into this tour and push for an Ashes spot. WHAT NEXT - Australia take on Derbyshire from Derby on Sunday.