Test opener Wade won't change approach

Matthew Wade had just excelled as Australia's Twenty20 opener when the idea was first hatched for the veteran to perform the same job in the day-night Test.

Tim Paine confirmed Wade's elevation as a makeshift opener at Thursday's toss in Adelaide, ending weeks of speculation about who would perform the job.

Wade has never batted higher than No.5 in Test cricket, while he has never opened at any stage of his red-ball career.

Even as a junior.

But the 32-year-old, who topscored both times he opened in Australia's T20 series against India, could understand the logic behind the move and indeed why it was the best thing he could do for the team.

Injuries to David Warner (groin) and Will Pucovski (concussion) had derailed Justin Langer's plans for the first Test, prompting Australia's coach to think outside the box as he also pondered how to squeeze allrounder Cameron Green into the XI.

"It came about after the last T20. It was thrown up then, so I've kind of been mentally preparing since," Wade told Fox Sports after Virat Kohli won the toss.

"I got the nod yesterday, that I'd 100 per cent be doing it.

"I'm not going to turn into an opener overnight. I'm just going to continue to bat the way I bat, hopefully that's good enough.

"Who knows if it's going to be for one or two Tests."

Langer outlined the argument for Wade opening alongside Joe Burns earlier this week.

"He could handle (batting) anywhere," Langer said.

"He's almost become Mr Fix It.

"He's mentally tough, physically tough, got good footwork. He's got the game for it. He can counter attack like David Warner does."

The Tasmanian admitted opening in Test cricket represented a "big difference" to his usual middle-order role.

Wade suggested batting a lot in Hobart during recent years would help him adjust, adding that recent centre-wicket sessions against Australia's star-studded attack would hold him in good stead.

"I had the pleasure of facing our blokes out here in three night sessions with brand new balls," Wade said.

"That made me question the chance to open, trust me.

"I'm lucky I batted at Bellerive, which is a bowler-friendly wicket, for the last three years. So I'm confident I can play the ball late enough, the brand new ball.

"I know I can go back into the middle order and do what I do there ... I'll give it a good crack."