Victorian wicketkeeper suffers injury in nets before start of Sheffield Shield clash at the MCG
Wade breaks collarbone in Shield warm-up
Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers captain and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade is out of the Sheffield Shield match against the Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors with a collarbone fracture.
LIVE: Victoria v Western Australia
It emerged during the lunch break on day one of the MCG match that Wade was hit by a ball while batting in the nets before the start of play.
He went for scans, which confirmed the fracture, and returned to the Victorian changerooms.
"Matt will get further medical advice on Monday to determine the extent of the injury and recovery period," said Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers physiotherapist Nick Adcock.
Matthew Wade suffered a broken collarbone in the nets pregame so we made a very late change to side and Aaron Ayre is now making his debut.
— Victoria Bushrangers (@bushrangers) November 14, 2015
Aaron Ayre was approved by Match Referee Bob Stratford as Wade's replacement and will be Victoria's wicketkeeper for the match.
Ayre, talented wicketkeeper and middle-order batsman, captains Premier Cricket side Essendon.
Veteran fast bowler Peter Siddle, who returned from Perth after being released from Test duties, will be the stand-in captain.
Wade, Australia's limited-overs 'keeper, was in sublime form in the one-day international series against England in September, averaging 82 with the bat, including a 26-ball half-century at Headingley in the 3-2 series win.
WA all-rounder Hilton Cartwright joined Wade as a day one casualty when he had to be helped from the field soon after tea when he appeared to injure his left hamstring.
He was running at top speed, trying to stop a boundary, when he suddenly grabbed the back of his left leg and collapsed to the ground.
Two teammates then supported him as he limped from the ground.
WATCH: Wade cracks rapid 50
The news is a huge blow for Victoria who are looking to maintain their unbeaten Sheffield Shield record this season after claiming the title in 2014-15.
With two more Shield rounds before the KFC Big Bash League starts, Wade's immediate future for the Bushrangers and Melbourne Renegades is in doubt.
Fortunately for the Renegades, Test 'keeper Peter Nevill can take the gloves if Wade is unavailable.
The Renegades first match of BBL|05 is against the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on December 19.