Wade and Haddin may play together

In what would be an unusual but not unprecedented move, Wade would retain his place in the Australian XI and play as a specialist batsman, while Haddin would reclaim the gloves as the country's No. 1 stumper in the 50-over game.

While selectors are yet to discuss the make-up of Australia's squad for the next block of ODIs, coach Mickey Arthur did not rule out the idea of picking Wade and Haddin in the same side.

''It's definitely an option, we haven't selected for the next block of ODIs yet,'' Arthur said.

''It's not impossible that they will both play in the same side. Those are all options we will discuss. It certainly would be one of the options.''

Haddin was a benefactor of such an initiative at the start of his international career, playing his first nine ODIs, from 2004-08, as a specialist batsman when Adam Gilchrist was in full flight.

The move enabled Haddin to get a taste at the elite level before succeeding Gilchrist.

Then one of the most prolific run-scorers in state cricket, Haddin used to spend extra time practicing his fielding in order to maximise his chances of being picked alongside Gilchrist.

The idea of playing two specialist wicketkeepers in the same team appears strange, but Wade's form with the bat in all forms of the game this summer has been exceptional at state and international level to justify selecting him as a batsman.

The 24-year-old averages 63 for Victoria from four Shield matches, and also boasts a half-century for Australia A against New Zealand. In the 50-over form, he has hit 178 runs at 44.5 and a strike rate of 75 as an opener for his state.

His man-of-the-match 67 on ODI debut on Sunday followed impressive hands of 32 and 72 for Australia's Twenty20 team, placing further pressure on Haddin to preserve his future at international level.

Wade will have at least two more ODIs to impress selectors, in Perth on Friday and again in Adelaide on Sunday, before the new squad is named.

While many around the country have already written the epitaph to Haddin's international career, the veteran still holds strong backing with those that matter most - the national selectors.

''I certainly don't think Hadds is done and dusted, Hadds has been a tremendous servant to Australian cricket, and is still an incumbent in the Test team,'' Arthur said.

''We're very blessed with two very good keeper-batsmen, and it's very good to have competition for that place.''

Also in Wade's favour is the conjecture over opener Shane Watson's short-term future.

Arthur is hopeful Watson will be fit to play in grade cricket this weekend in order for a possible recall to the ODI squad later in the series.

''It's a work in progress at the moment,''Arthur said. ''When we're comfortable that he's fit and ready to go we'll have a look at it.

''We've made so many predictions we're just taking it one day at a time. We're hoping he plays grade cricket this weekend and bats and bowls, but we've said that for a long time now, we're hoping that comes into fruition.''

Officials at Watson's Sydney grade club, Sutherland, are hopeful the all-rounder will at least be able to play as a batsman.

''It'd be nice if he could bowl a few overs, but it depends on how his leg pulls up,'' said Sutherland's chairman of selectors, Evan Atkins.

Ben Hilfenhaus's resurgence as an international player continued yesterday when he was called into Australia's squad as cover for Brett Lee, who faces four to six weeks out with a toe fracture.

Hilfenhaus is unlikely to face Sri Lanka on Friday in Perth, but could be given a chance to maintain his hold on India's batsmen in Adelaide on Sunday. The 28-year-old swing bowler has not played an ODI since November 2009.

''The bowling attack for Perth is likely to be the same as the one that did so well in Melbourne, and Ben will be in Perth to provide cover,'' said chairman of selectors John Inverarity.