Matthew Wade Retires from International Cricket

Matthew Wade, the Australian wicketkeeper-batter, has officially announced his retirement from international cricket and will transition into a coaching role within the national Men's team, as confirmed by Cricket Australia on Tuesday.

Wade made his international debut in October 2011 and has had a distinguished career, participating in 36 Tests, 97 ODIs, and 92 T20Is. His final appearance on the international stage was during the T20 World Cup in June 2024. Reflecting on his retirement, Wade shared, "I was fully aware my international days were most likely over at the end of the last T20 World Cup." He noted that discussions about his retirement and coaching role had been ongoing with selectors George Bailey and coach Andrew McDonald over the past six months.

Wade has expressed a keen interest in coaching for several years and is grateful for the opportunities that have arisen. "I will continue to play in the Big Bash League and some franchise leagues over the summer months, but alongside those commitments, I am heavily investing in my coaching," he stated.

In his heartfelt farewell, Wade thanked his Australian teammates, staff, and coaches, acknowledging the support that helped him maximize his potential. He also expressed gratitude to his family, particularly his parents and sisters, for their dedication to his journey, as well as to his partner Julia and their children for their sacrifices along the way.

Wade will join Australia's coaching staff for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan under the guidance of coach Andre Borovec and will also participate in the ODI series starting next week in Melbourne. However, he plans to continue playing 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 for his exceptional international career, highlighting his skill and versatility across all formats. "I'm delighted he will add to his massive contribution by coaching the next generation of stars and also continuing to light up the Big Bash with the Hobart Hurricanes," Hockley remarked.

Ben Oliver, Executive General Manager of High Performance & National Teams, also extended his thanks and congratulations to Wade, emphasizing the impact he has made over his 13-year career. "We look forward to Matthew drawing on his wealth of experience as he transitions into coaching, and we wish him and his family the very best for the future."