Oct 25th, 2017

Oct 25th, 2017

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has admitted that he hasn't "scored enough runs" in his opportunities since his return to the Australian cricket side in late 2016, but is confident he can prove himself to selectors ahead of the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane in a month.

Wade told Wide World of Sports that despite the opportunities he's had in India, Bangladesh and Australia, he hasn't lived up to his own expectations with the bat.

"Personally, there's work I've got to do. I've got to score some more runs for sure.

"I haven't scored enough runs yet, so when I get an opportunity I'll cash in.

Often criticised for his keeping and compared with rival Peter Nevill, Wade insisted that he was confident in the other part of his game. The Aussie selectors have told him they were happy with his performances behind the stumps to date.

"Early in my career I was certainly judged on my wicketkeeping. That's why I got dropped.

"The last 12 months it's probably been 'your 'keeping's going really well, we need to you to score more runs.'

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"I'm confident in my batting, I know that I'm a good enough batter that will come. I've just got to keep working hard and the runs will come after that.

"First and foremost, if I'm not keeping well I'd be out of the team right now.

"But thankfully I've been keeping well over the last five to six Test matches and they're sticking with me which is good."

WADE STILL CONFIDENT HE'LL BE PICKED

‘I’m still confident I’ll be picked’

With plenty of shadow currently over the Australian side, Wade said that he was confident he could prove himself and earn a spot in the side.

He said opportunities at Shield level with his new side Tasmania will give him the chance he needs to show his improvement with the bat.

"I feel like I've improved.

"I'm a certainly better batsman than what I was when I first came into the team. I managed to get away a few times early on in my career and I've got to start doing that now.

"As an all-round cricketer I feel like I'm a better player now for sure."

Wade was confident that if he's selected for his first Ashes series on home soil that he

"Maybe I've had my lean trot now, if I can get the opportunity to play I'm going to have a good series.

"In the end I play cricket to win games of cricket. It's about me contributing to the team and fulfilling my role.

"If I make it too individual and make it all about myself things probably won't go as well. It's about adapting and playing the role that the team needs at the time.

In a battle between two for the Australian wicketkeeping spot, Wade acknowledges the importance of runs, despite admitting he's the favourite to hold the spot for the

"Runs are probably going to be what gets me the nod over anyone else. I'm obviously the keeper at the moment and I still feel confident that I'm going to get picked, but it's important I go back and perform well.

"If I can [go back to Tasmania] now and over the next couple of months, the runs will come and I can play some good cricket."

The Ashes starts on November 23 live and free on Channel Nine.