Australian selectors eyeing Wade for deputy role

Sydney: Australian cricketer Matthew Wade has reportedly emerged as a leading candidate for the role of vice-captain for the one-day side for the ICC Champions Trophy.

The selectors turned their eyes towards Wade following the unavailability of new deputy Brad Haddin for the Champions Trophy because of his Australia A commitments. Wade, who lost the wicket-keeping duties to Haddin in the Test side, would be competing for the role along with David Warner and George Bailey. The appointment would be a consolation for Wade, who was initially lauded as Haddin`s long-term replacement, only to be dropped for the veteran wicketkeeper a year later. Meanwhile, the report mentioned that fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson is expected to be named in the squad after being left out of both the Ashes and Australia A squads, while Mitchell Starc, who is recovering from ankle surgery, will also be included. The Australians, who have been installed as equal favourites with South Africa to raise the trophy by bookmakers, will open their campaign against England at Edgbaston on June 8, while Sri Lanka and New Zealand are the other teams rounding out Group A. Australia have won the previous two Champions Trophy tournaments - in India in 2006 and South Africa in 2009 - and selectors are likely to stick with a similar ODI squad to that which played against Sri Lanka and the West Indies in Australia last year. ANI