Australia has done well to blood Wade in international cricket: Ganguly

Malaysia Sun (ANI) Tuesday 7th February, 2012

Former Indian cricket captain and commentator Sourav Ganguly believes that Australia have done well to blood Tasmania-born Victoria wicketkeeper Mathew Wade in international cricket.

"Genuine all-rounders are a huge boost to a team and Wade fits into that category. He can bat at any position, uses his feet well, can hit big shots in the shorter versions of the game and seems to have a cool head on his shoulders," says Ganguly in an article for the Sydney Morning Herald.

"He also looks a decent wicketkeeper, and with maturity should turn into a major asset for the Aussies," he adds.

As far as India is concerned, Ganguly says all-rounder Irfan Pathan and batsman Manoj Tiwary should be brought into the first eleven for the second Commonwealth Bank one-day international against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Ganguly said: "India should play Irfan Pathan instead of a spinner, as that will add variety to their attack. Pathan is a left-hander who swings the ball well. Pathan is needed because India is playing too many spinners."

"India also needs the injured Virender Sehwag back. Sachin Tendulkar had not played a one-day match for 10 months, and it's not easy to accelerate from the word go," he added.

Ganguly also felt that opener Gautam Gambhir hasn't looked convincing as yet despite his half century in the second Twenty20 international against Australia.

On Tiwary, he said that he had scored a hundred in his last match against the West Indies under pressure, and on current form should play ahead of Suresh Raina. (ANI)