Former Australian batsman Ian Chappell has advised the selectors against picking Matthew Wade for the test series against Sri Lanka.

Wade is currently averaging 63.44 with the bat this season in the Sheffield Shield – the most of any player.

Given the struggles faced by the Australian top order, many have suggested the experienced Tasmanian could earn a test recall.

Chappell, the brother of Australian selector Greg, thinks the team should look elsewhere.

“Not as a batsman and I certainly wouldn’t pick him as a wicketkeeper,” Chappell told Sportsday.

“If you look at the last few tests that he played, he was really struggling with the bat.

“I really think you’d be going backwards, but then again if you asked me who I’d pick to play against Sri Lanka, I’d be tempted to stick 20 names in a hat and pull them out, it’s sort of that desperate.”

Wade played 22 tests for Australia, the last being in 2017, averaging 28.58, mostly batting at seven.