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Not 'keeping in BBL a joint decision: Wade

3 minute read

Matthew Wade has insisted all is fine between he and Hobart coach Adam Griffith after the decision to take the gloves off him before the BBL finals.

GLENN MAXWELL
GLENN MAXWELL Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Matthew Wade has shut down claims he and Hobart coach Adam Griffith are split over the decision to take the wicketkeeping role off him ahead of the BBL finals.

The Hurricanes need to pull off a remarkable turnaround in Friday night's eliminator against Adelaide after their "embarrassing" flogging at the hands of Glenn Maxwell and the Melbourne Stars.

But captain Wade is also aware rumours are swirling of a split between he and coach Griffith, with Australia's T20 wicketkeeper in the field and not behind the stumps.

Hobart have insisted the decision allows Wade to work closer with inexperienced bowlers as the team's captain at mid off, and that he is happy with the call.

Wade on Thursday backed that up, with the issue top of agenda ahead of Friday's elimination final.

"It's not Griffo against me here. I'm captain. He's coach. We've made a decision that it's best for the team," Wade said.

"I was hearing some things last night and I read a little bit into today. I just want to clear that all up.

"It's it's a decision that me and Griffo made.

"I would prefer to wicketkeep. I am T20 keeper for Australia. I was going to keep for the tournament.

"Mentally keeping, captaining and batting in the top three, it takes its toll over a long tournament."

Wade said Griffith had spoken to Australia's selectors about the decision to hand Ben McDermott the gloves, and they also had no issue.

Wade insists he is also not fussed about the Hurricanes' 106-run thumping from the Stars ruining their momentum before a finals series where they need to win four straight to lift the trophy.

Hurricanes players have described Glenn Maxwell's record 154no as the best knock they have seen, while the Stars' 2-273 was the highest total in all T20 franchise cricket worldwide.

But the Hurricanes have taken solace in the fact they rested their three frontline quicks - Scott Boland, Riley Meredith and Tom Rogers - to ensure they would all be fit come finals.

The Hurricanes will however lose Sandeep Lamichhane to Nepal duties, after he was one of eight Hurricanes bowlers to go at more than 10 an over in Wednesday night's drubbing.

Wade said he had no regrets over the decision to rest the quicks.

"Last night wasn't ideal. It was embarrassing," Wade said.

"(But) if we lost one of (the three quicks) and we had to roll into a final with a bit of a made-up team, then I'd be pretty flat the morning after," Wade said.

"So we're pretty confident that we made the right decision by leaving those boys out."

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