Australian wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, marking the end of a distinguished 13-year career. At 36, Wade is transitioning into a coaching role with the national team, joining the coaching staff under Andre Borovec for the upcoming T20 International series against Pakistan, which begins on November 14, 2024, in Brisbane. He will also assist during the subsequent ODI series.
Career Highlights
Wade’s international journey includes:
- 36 Test matches, scoring 1,482 runs with four centuries.
- 97 One Day Internationals (ODIs), accumulating 2,340 runs and one century.
- 92 T20 Internationals, totaling 1,202 runs.
He played a pivotal role in Australia’s T20 World Cup victory in 2021, finishing his international career with a total of 4,682 runs, along with 240 catches and 26 stumpings as a wicketkeeper.
Reflections on Retirement
In his statement, Wade acknowledged that he had been contemplating retirement since the last T20 World Cup. He expressed gratitude for the opportunities that coaching presents and shared his excitement for this new chapter. Wade noted, “Coaching has been on my radar over the last few years… I am very grateful and excited” about his future role.Despite stepping back from international play, Wade will continue to participate in domestic cricket with the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League and remains available for various T20 franchise competitions globally. Wade’s commitment to coaching reflects a desire to nurture future talent while maintaining his competitive spirit on the field.
