Dunk keen to keep if Wade absence

Ben Dunk admits wicketkeeping has not been his priority this season but, with Australia's one-day gloveman Matthew Wade sidelined by a fractured collarbone, the Tasmanian is a keen replacement should the need arise.

Dunk, 28, who represented Australia in three Twenty20 Internationals against South Africa late last year, has been opening the batting for the Tigers' Sheffield Shield side this season, racking up two centuries from six innings.

Victoria captain and wicketkeeper Wade is expected to miss six weeks with a fractured collarbone he sustained on the morning of the Bushrangers' Sheffield Shield match last Saturday. 

He underwent surgery on Tuesday and is eyeing a return to cricket after Christmas, with the aim of playing the first match of Australia's Victoria Bitter ODI series against India on January 12.  

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But Dunk said he would gladly give up his top-order state position to stand behind the stumps for Australia, should Wade's absence be prolonged.

"If any opportunity came up, I'd certainly love the opportunity to play for Australia again in any format," Dunk told reporters in Hobart on Wednesday.

"Keeping is something I'm still working on. I haven't really had the opportunity to do that so far this year but, any opportunity to play for Australia, I'd grab it."

Wade was struck on the right shoulder batting in the nets moments before the scheduled start of the Shield clash against Western Australia at the MCG. 

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Australia's limited-overs 'keeper was immediately taken to hospital where scans revealed a fractured right clavicle, forcing the Bushrangers to make a last-minute substitution which saw youngster Aaron Ayre make his first-class debut behind the stumps. 

The blow will rule Wade out of Victoria's remaining two Sheffield Shield matches this year and the Melbourne Renegades opening pair of games against the Brisbane Heat (December 19) the Sydney Sixers (December 23). 

The December 30 contest against reigning champions Perth Scorchers looms as Wade's comeback match, giving the left-hander four BBL games to prepare for limited overs matches against India.

Dunk said his training focus would remain batting, for now.

"If I'm picked in the team as a wicketkeeper, then I increase my wicketkeeping but, at the moment, my main focus is to keep scoring runs for Tasmania," he said.