Matthew Wade Bids Farewell to International Cricket

Australian wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade has officially retired from international cricket, announcing his transition to a coaching role within the Australian Men’s team, as revealed by Cricket Australia on Tuesday.

Wade’s international journey began in October 2011, accumulating 36 Test matches, 97 ODIs, and 92 T20Is, with his final appearance at the T20 World Cup in June 2024. Reflecting on his retirement, Wade acknowledged that he had anticipated his international career would likely end after the last T20 World Cup. He shared that discussions around his retirement and potential coaching role had been ongoing with selectors George Bailey and head coach Andrew McDonald for several months.

Coaching has been on his mind in recent years, and Wade expressed gratitude for the opportunities that have come his way. While he will continue to play in the Big Bash League and a few franchise leagues during the summer, he plans to dedicate much of his time to developing his coaching skills around these commitments. Thanking his Australian teammates, coaches, and staff, Wade emphasised how their support allowed him to reach his full potential on the international stage. He also extended heartfelt gratitude to his family for their unwavering support, particularly his wife Julia and their children, whose sacrifices, he noted, made his career possible.

Wade will join Australia’s coaching squad for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, led by Andre Borovec, and will stay on for the ODI series starting next week in Melbourne. Domestically, he’ll continue playing for Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League for at least two more seasons.

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley praised Wade’s remarkable international career, highlighting his versatility across formats and his value to the team. Hockley also expressed excitement about Wade’s upcoming role in guiding the next generation and his continued presence in the Big Bash with the Hurricanes.

Ben Oliver, Executive General Manager of High Performance and National Teams, offered his congratulations to Wade, noting the resilience and adaptability that marked his 13-year career. He added that the Australian team looks forward to Wade bringing his wealth of experience to his new coaching position, wishing him and his family well in this new chapter.