Wade 'enjoying the chance to play for Australia'

Young Australia opener Matthew Wade proved his worth with match-winning performances in the few games he has played, but the young Tasmanian does not want to look too far ahead than the three ODIs for which he has been selected.

In a short time, Wade has become a thorn in India's flesh and his 67-run knock in the first One-day International was another proof of his growing stature.

He has already scored two half centuries from the three games he has played against India, including two Twenty20 internationals.

But the left-handed batsman knows the nature of the game and refused to predict his future.

"That would be a bad option for myself. I just want to do as well as I can in the three games. If I look too far ahead, you don't know what's going to happen. It's a pretty fickle game that we play. The environment I'm in, it's all about the next game in the Australian cricket team," he said after being adjudged Man-of-the-match in Sunday's match.

"I'm obviously enjoying the chance to play for Australia. It's every kid's dream to put on the Australian kit and walk out at the MCG. I loving every minute of it."

The youngster also earned good points on his work behind the stumps.

"I definitely feel I'm keeping as well as I ever have. Obviously to be in the environment of the Australian team, I'm catching more balls every day and things are going really well. I feel on top of my game."

One thing which made Wade realize international cricket was a step up from domestic competition was the kind of running he had to do with Mike Hussey in the middle.

"The intensity when Mike Hussey walked out and started running between the wickets, there was definitely a step up. Everything is just a bit faster and (when) you have to run with Mike, it's even harder."

Mike's younger brother David was no less impressive with 62 made off 32 balls.

"He's on fire. The whole BBL, he was smashing them too. I thought he batted really well in the Twenty20, obviously a couple of unfortunate run-outs he probably would have let himself down there a little bit. But then tonight he came out and just played beautifully. He's one of the best strikers in the game, everyone knows that."

Another youngster who did well for Australia was Clint McKay, who picked 4 for 20 from his four-odd overs, and Wade did not forget to acknowledge his performance.

"He has come back beautifully. He had a really bad injury that no-one knew whether he was going to get back from. I think his pace has picked up massively in the last six months. With the slower ball in the last few overs, he has all the tricks."

Mckay had suffered from stress fracture in his left foot which kept him out of contention for the World Cup.

Like every Australian player before him, Wade too termed India as a tough side.

"India are always tough. With the players they have, they're going to play some really good cricket. It wasn't an easy win. We had to work hard to get it. They bowled exceptionally well in the first 10-12 overs, and then we got away from them a little bit."

Wade wasn't sure if India made a wrong choice by going with three spinners and ignoring a seamer.

"Maybe, maybe not. It's hard to say at the start of the game. They bowled well with that attack in the Twenty20. They also bowled well today. We were lucky to get a couple of wickets upfront with our quicks. I don't think you can look too much into that kind of stuff."

According to new Australian wicketkeeper, the pitch became better to bat after the rain interruption.