Wade must be in Test selection mix: Bailey

Wade, whose international career seemingly ended when he was dumped as Test keeper a year ago, has emerged as a dark horse in selectors' search for middle-order options.

Trevor Hohns' panel is expected to meet later this week and settle on an XI for the four-Test series opener that starts on December 6 at Adelaide Oval.

Wade is third on the list of Sheffield Shield run-scorers after four rounds, having managed 412 runs at 82.4.

Wade has passed 50 on five occasions, with the most recent being an impressive knock of 137 that earned man-of-the-match honours in Tasmania's loss to Victoria.

The 30-year-old took the gloves for Tasmania in Shield games against Western Australia and Queensland but has since played as a batsman alongside Test gloveman Tim Paine.

"I can't speak highly enough of the way he's going about his cricket, Bailey said.

"If you're looking at those numbers he'd very much have to be in the mix for a Test. He's a good fielder, just pick your six best batters, simple.

"He's in complete control of his game."

Bailey highlighted how Wade has built impressive partnerships with the tail and successfully adjusted to a range of pitches around the country.

"That's been the most pleasing thing this year. I don't think we've given him great situations on a number of occasions," Bailey said.

"His ability to go through the gears, to start his innings, accelerate when he needs to."

Bailey was also full of praise for Test discard Alex Doolan, who has reinvented himself as an opener for Tasmania after playing all four of his Tests in 2014 at first drop.

Doolan is the Shield's leading run-scorer with 444 runs at 55.5.

"He's batting better I think than when he first played for Australia," Bailey said.

"A bit more experience, bit of age.

"He's got a knowledge of his game and awareness of how to go about it. He's been in great touch."

Australian Associated Press