Tim Paine's return to the JLT Sheffield Shield next week could enhance the unlikely Test push of state teammate Matthew Wade, who will play as a specialist batsman in Tasmania's match against NSW.

Paine confirmed today he will take the gloves for the clash at the SCG, starting next Monday, which will give Wade the chance to bat higher in the order without the added burden of keeping wickets.

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The left-hander has all but given up hope of playing of Test cricket again as a wicketkeeper, but has stormed into contention to play as a batsman in the Domain Test Series against India, having averaged 74 from eight Shield matches this year, including four consecutive half-centuries to start the season.

With middle-order positions up for grabs ahead of the first Test in early December, Paine said any batsman scoring runs will have to be considered for higher honours.

"He's one of the most in-form batters in the country at the moment so it might be an opportunity for him to bat a bit higher (against NSW) and get a big score," Paine, who grew up with Wade in Hobart, told cricket.com.au.

"I didn't see a lot of him last year, but I was home for the pre-season and watched him bat in the nets. It's as well as I've seen him bat and obviously over his career he's batted really well.

"He's in fantastic form at the moment and if that continues for another month or so, who knows?

"We've been pretty clear that if you're scoring enough runs, anyone's a chance at the moment."

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Wade, who has two Test hundreds to his name, has been in the first-class system for more than a decade, but at the age of 30 is far from retirement age.

His relationship with coach Justin Langer has not been without its hiccups in the past; Langer publicly questioned the wicketkeeper's work ethic when he was interim coach for Australia's 2016 ODI tour of the Caribbean, leading Wade to seek clarification from Langer following the series.

Speaking to cricket.com.au in September, Wade said he's long considered giving up the gloves in red-ball cricket to focus solely on batting.

"I don't think I'll probably play Test cricket again, not as a wicketkeeper-batter anyway," he said, adding that regaining his spot in the one-day side for next year's World Cup was his major personal goal heading into the summer.

"I'd like to be able to not keep and play as a batter in the last few years of my career. That's where I'd like to get to. I'll play as a keeper-batter in the white-ball (formats), probably until the end of my career.

"'Painey' will be away quite a bit and when he comes back, I'll be playing as a batter."

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Paine also identified in-form Victorian opener Marcus Harris as a player who is "right amongst it" in the discussion for spots in the Test side following Australia's disappointing batting display on the recent tour of the UAE.

With Usman Khawaja still in some doubt for the first Test due to injury and new opener Aaron Finch the only other batsman to show consistent form in that series, Paine flagged that a Test spot "is seriously within reach" for any player who fires in the coming weeks.

"What's clear is the next two or three rounds of Shield cricket are super important for everyone – both the guys who were on the Test tour (in the UAE) and guys who were here playing Shield cricket," he said.

"If you can make a case by scoring a lot of runs, a Baggy Green is seriously within reach.

"Marcus Harris scored a big double hundred; that's the kind of thing that will certainly get the attention of Justin Langer and Trevor Hohns.

"Anyone who's scoring double hundreds at the top of the order in Shield cricket is going to be right amongst it. He's one of a few guys who's certainly put his hand up in the opening few rounds."

India Tour of Australia 2018-19

Gillette T20s v India

November 21: The Gabba

November 23: MCG

November 25: SCG

Domain Tests v India

December 6-10: Adelaide Oval

December 14-18: Perth Stadium

December 26-30: MCG

January 3-7: SCG

Gillette ODI Series v India

January 12: SCG (D/N)

January 15: Adelaide Oval (D/N)

January 18: MCG (D/N)