Australia has adopted an interesting approach ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The George Bailey-led selection committee has not picked another specialist wicketkeeper in the team and has instead pinned its hopes on Australian assistant coach Matthew Wade.
Australia are reluctant to choose another backup wicketkeeper for Josh Inglis during the tour of India and Sri Lanka for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Despite frequent injuries in recent times, the selectors have full faith in the wicketkeeper.
Australia have already suffered several setbacks in their campaign in the form of bowlers. Josh Hazlewood and Tim David are uncertain about their return dates, while captain Pat Cummins has already been ruled out of the first half of the ICC T20 World Cup competition.
George Bailey sticks to no-backup policy for wicketkeepers
The Australian men’s selection committee has opted for a no backup option policy for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. They have not kept a wicketkeeper batsman as a backup to Josh Inglis. The Perth Scorchers wicketkeeper has not been in the best of form in the current BBL season.
However, put bad form aside; If Inglis is out due to injury, Australia will suffer a huge loss. Earlier, he had claimed that Glenn Maxwell can be seen taking off the gloves in such critical situations.
George Bailey is determined not to announce the name of the second-choice wicketkeeper, because if he chooses the second keeper, he will have to give up one of his spinners. Therefore, Bailey and co. Now a new approach has been taken to the issue, with Matthew Wade traveling to the subcontinent with the Australian contingent.
Australia will not have a second specialist wicketkeeper in their squad for the Twenty20 World Cup, but Matthew Wade will be in the touring party.https://t.co/L7Cp8aJKrE pic.twitter.com/IqvRk2nmT6
– Daniel Cherney (@DanielCherney) 20 January 2026
Matthew Wade included as Australia’s replacement wicketkeeper
Former Australian wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade was one of the experienced players in the Australian lineup, especially in the latter stages of his career in the shortest format of the game. He was also a part of the ICC T20 World Cup-winning team in 2021 and then played his last T20 World Cup in 2024.
Matthew Wade announced his retirement from international cricket and took up a coaching role with the Australian team in 2025. The master gloveman is still working in the BBL for the Hobart Hurricanes.
The Australian management has suggested that Matthew Wade’s retirement could be reversed, and that Josh Inglis could be brought on board if there is no chance of a return to the tournament.
Wade will still be part of the Australian squad, but as an assistant coach of the national team.
Australia are sticking to their decision to field just one wicketkeeper in the T20 World Cup, but it looks like Matthew Wade has found a way to punch his ticket.
Read https://t.co/7xY8cVI3ko pic.twitter.com/zEu3NKKF6L
– Code Cricket (@codecricketau) 20 January 2026
Shane Warne once worked as a player-coach in IPL.
Previously, this unique approach of coach and player at the same time has been less seen in the gentlemen’s game, but the Australians have always challenged the usual norms of the game.
Former Australian great Shane Warne, who retired from international cricket and came to India to participate in the first season of the IPL, led the team as the team captain as well as took up the role of head coach.
Warne was extremely successful in this role and helped Rajasthan Royals win their first IPL title. He also trained many youngsters who later became world cricket stars like Shane Watson and Ravindra Jadeja.
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