Matthew Wade Retires from International Cricket
Matthew Wade, one of Australia’s most successful and revered players, has officially retired from international cricket, concluding a remarkable 13-year career. During his time on the field, he played 36 Test matches, 97 One-Day Internationals, and 92 T20 Internationals, with his final appearance coming at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies this year. Wade was a vital contributor to numerous Australian victories, particularly notable for his performance in the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where he played a key role in securing the title for his team.
Transition to Coaching
Following his retirement, Wade is set to begin his journey into coaching. He will join Australia’s coaching staff for the upcoming T20 series against Pakistan under the guidance of Andre Borovec. He will also be part of the coaching team for the ODI series starting in Melbourne next week. While embarking on this new chapter, Wade has committed to continuing his playing career in domestic cricket for Tasmania and in the Big Bash League (BBL) At least the next two summers will be hurricane season.
Future Aspirations
Wade has already taken steps into coaching by mentoring Tasmanian youth and second XI sides during the winter months. He aims to expand his coaching roles within the Australian system while balancing his commitments as a player during the summer. In a statement, Wade expressed his awareness that his international days were likely over after the T20 World Cup, emphasizing that discussions about retirement and coaching had been ongoing with key figures like George Bailey and Andrew McDonald over the past six months.
Wade expressed gratitude for the opportunities that have come his way and is eager to invest in his coaching future. He stated, “Coaching has been on my radar over the last few years, and thankfully some great opportunities have come my way, for which I am very grateful and excited.”
In addition to his professional achievements, Wade took a moment to thank his family for their unwavering support throughout his career. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by his parents, sisters, and partner, Julia, stating, “No words can explain how grateful I am to them; none of this would have happened without their support.”
Recognition from Cricket Australia
Nick Hockley, the CEO of Cricket Australia, commended Wade for his remarkable international career, pointing out his talent and adaptability as a standout player in every format. Hockley expressed his delight that Wade would contribute to coaching the next generation of cricket stars while continuing to play in the BBL with the Hobart Hurricanes.
Ben Oliver, Executive General Manager of High Performance & National Teams, also praised Wade’s resilience and adaptability, saying, “Matthew was a much-loved teammate in Australian teams across all formats over the last 13 years. He praised Wade’s achievements on the global stage and anticipated that he would use his extensive coaching background.
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With his playing days at the international level behind him, Matthew Wade now embarks on an exciting new journey as a coach, ready to share his extensive knowledge and experience with future generations of cricketers. His legacy as a player and his new role as a mentor promise to keep him closely connected to the game he loves.
