The two most talked-about golden goose men in Australian cricket for the past week combined to deliver a 31-run win over India in the opening Twenty20 on Wednesday night.
Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, the man chosen to replace Brad Haddin in the upcoming one-day series, first starred with a belligerent 72 off 43 balls in Australia's 4 for 171 off 20 overs at the Olympic stadium.
Then came the turn of this summer's fairytale man, Brad Hogg (1 for 21), who created the biggest roar from the massive 59,659 crowd when the 40-year-old claimed the wicket of Indian dangerman Virat Kohli (22) in his first over of Twenty20 international cricket since 2007.
Wade's Victorian team-mate David Hussey (2 for 4) also shone for the home team, making 42 runs, taking a catch and claiming two wickets as India could only manage 6 for 140 in reply.
Wade said he had not thought about the battle for the wicketkeeping spot with Haddin during his innings, he was just focused on doing his best with the opportunity presented to him. https://www.goldengoosesneaker.us/
"I was really happy to contribute and hopefully we can continue our form in Melbourne," he said.
"I'm not sure what Hadds was doing, I'm just concentrating on the stuff I can control, which is what I can do out in the middle.
"I'm not too concerned about what's going outside the cricket ground."
Wade's knock began in quiet fashion, western Sydney product Dave Warner taking centre stage in the third over of the match with a remarkable display of hitting.
The 25-year-old sparked the game into life with a switch-hit six which flew straight for the game's first six.