BBL 2021-22: Matthew Wade takes an indefinite break from the ongoing season

The veteran batter Matthew Wade has decided to take an indefinite break from the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) due to personal reasons. The Hobart Hurricanes leader was not part of the 14 man-squad that will be taking on the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on Saturday (January 8) night. Wade’s immense experience will now be missed by the side while Peter Handscomb will be wearing the captaincy hat.

Wade has scored 177 runs in 9 games so far in this BBL season with the highest score of 93. He has scored just one fifty while getting starts in most of the games at the top of the order. He had a brilliant T20 World Cup for the Australian side and was expected to set the stage on fire in BBL which unfortunately has not happened yet.

We’re hopeful of having him back, states Hurricanes coach

Hobart Hurricanes coach Adam Griffith confirmed that Matthew Wade will be out of action for a while and hasn’t stated about his return yet. He wished to have the wicket-keeper batter at the crucial stages as Hurricanes are at the fourth position now with 4 wins from 9 games. After a three-match winning streak, Hurricanes have now suffered two straight losses and they will need to come out hard in their next game against the Brisbane Heat.

“He’s okay. It’s just something he’s working through at the moment. We don’t really have a timeline just as yet, but we’re hopeful of having him back at the back-end of the tournament.” Hurricanes coach Adam Griffith told reporters as quoted by The West Australian.

Ben Mcdermott has done really well so far in this BBL season and he is expected to take up the wicket keeper’s role in the side. It remains to be seen who replaces Wade at the top of the order, while the coach expects some consistency upfront. Hurricanes meanwhile will be boosted by the return of speedster Riley Meredith in the squad as he had to suffer a hamstring injury recently.