Wade of runs puts ex-Test keeper in frame

Matthew Wade said it would take something extraordinary for him to claim a Test spot as a specialist batter, but a plucky JLT Sheffield Shield rescue act could well have put him squarely back in the frame.

Ahead by just 28 and staring at defeat inside three days when Wade strode to the crease on Monday, Tasmania's blushes were saved by the former Test keeper who posted a defiant 137.

His 13th first-class century not only staved off an embarrassing defeat for last year's runners-up, it also gave the Tigers a legitimate shot at a comeback victory (or at least salvaging a draw, given Hobart’s inclement weather forecast for Tuesday) heading into the final day.

While Wade has conceded his days as a Test wicketkeeper are probably over after state teammate and childhood friend Tim Paine leapfrogged him last summer, the left-hander will surely feature in selection discussions ahead of the first Domain Test against India.

When it comes to picking batsmen, national selectors have insisted that performing under pressure and when games are on the line matters as much as overall weight of runs, how consistently they're scored and posting hundreds.

Wade has seemingly ticked all those boxes this season. In eight innings, he's made four half-centuries, one ton and only twice has he been dismissed for less than 50. Having last summer been one of only two batters to have scored three Shield centuries, he now finds himself sitting second among this season's leading run-scorers.

After moving home to Hobart last summer after nearly a decade with Victoria, Wade has credited batting regularly on a sometimes-lively Blundstone Arena pitch with improving his batting.

"No doubt playing at Bellerive I've become a better batsman," said Wade, who has two Test centuries from 22 matches.

"The wicket does a lot more than what it used to do at the MCG, so I've had to find a way to bat a bit differently and it's working for me at the moment.

"There will always be tinkering but at the moment I feel pretty comfortable with my game.

"(Since) before Christmas last year I've been hitting the ball well through that period.

"Even before that when I got dropped from the Australian team, I felt like I was hitting the ball well, I just wasn’t getting weight of runs (at international level)."

Whether a Test batting spot is in fact open for Wade is unclear.

While Usman Khawaja looks on track to regain full fitness and Shaun Marsh appearing to have done enough to retain his spot to face India in Adelaide from December 6, the likes of Matthew Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne have done little to enhance their Test cases.

Paine, who has taken the gloves for the ongoing Shield clash against Victoria, suggested last month that the door could be ajar for Wade.

"He's one of the most in-form batters in the country at the moment … He's in fantastic form and if that continues for another month or so, who knows?" the Test captain told cricket.com.au.

"We've been pretty clear that if you're scoring enough runs, anyone's a chance at the moment."

With that in mind, the man who has more first-class runs than any other this summer is Wade and Paine's Tigers teammate Alex Doolan, who could also be in the Test picture.

The 32-year-old played the last of his four Tests more than four years ago as a No.3. Now opening at first-class level for the Tigers, Doolan is well aware his name is again being bandied around as a solution to Australia's batting woes.

But the right-hander says he’s been disappointed at falling short of triple figures twice in as many games.

"People have started talking about it (national selection)," Doolan told reporters after he backed up his 90 against NSW earlier this month with 94 against Victoria on Sunday.

"But ultimately, as top-order batsmen, we’re judged on our hundreds' column and I’ve fallen short on that over the last two weeks.

"I’m pleased with the way it’s going. However, to get out last week in Sydney on 90 chasing the game, and again today in the 90s when we’re setting up the game, is really disappointing personally."