Matthew Wade, the Australian wicketkeeper-batter, has announced his retirement from international cricket and will be joining the coaching staff of the national men’s team, as confirmed by Cricket Australia on Tuesday.
Wade made his international debut in October 2011 and played in 36 Tests, 97 ODIs, and 92 T20Is, with his final appearance occurring in June 2024 during the T20 World Cup.
Reflecting on his retirement, Wade stated, “I was fully aware that my international days were likely over after the last T20 World Cup.
My retirement and coaching plans have been ongoing discussions with George (Bailey) and Andrew (McDonald) over the past six months.”
He added, “Coaching has been on my radar for the last few years, and I’m thankful for the great opportunities that have come my way, which I’m excited about.”
Wade plans to continue playing in the Big Bash League (BBL) and other franchise leagues during the summer while also focusing on his coaching responsibilities.
“As my international career comes to a close, I want to thank all my Australian teammates, staff, and coaches.
It’s been a challenging ride at the international level, and I couldn’t have achieved what I did without the support of good people around me.”
He expressed gratitude to his family, particularly his parents and sisters, for their support throughout his career, as well as to his partner Julia and their children for their sacrifices.
Wade will join Australia’s coaching staff for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan under coach Andre Borovec and will also participate in the ODI series starting next week.
He will continue to play domestic cricket for Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League for at least the next two summers.
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley praised Wade’s contributions, saying, “Congratulations to Matthew on what has been a wonderful international career.
His skill and versatility have made him an outstanding performer across all formats.”
Ben Oliver, Executive General Manager of High Performance & National Teams, added, “We extend our thanks and congratulations to Matthew on an outstanding international career.
His resilience and adaptability were key features throughout his time with the team.
We look forward to him using his wealth of experience as he transitions into coaching.”
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