Matthew Wade Retires from International Cricket, Takes Up Coaching Role for Pakistan Series

Australian captain Matthew Wade has announced his retirement from international cricket after a distinguished 13-year career. The wicketkeeper-batter, who led Australia during their last tour to India, will now shift his focus to coaching, taking up the position of wicketkeeping and fielding coach for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan.

Wade’s international journey included appearances in 36 Tests, 97 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 92 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), where he accumulated 1,613 runs in Tests, 1,867 runs in ODIs, and 1,202 runs in T20Is. He played a crucial role in Australia’s victorious campaign in the 2021 T20 World Cup, particularly shining in the semi-final against Pakistan with a stunning 41 runs off just 17 balls. His contributions helped secure Australia's first T20 World Cup title in the UAE.

Wade expressed gratitude towards his teammates, coaches, and family, acknowledging their support throughout his career. “I enjoyed the ride, as challenging as it can be at the international level. Without good people around me, I would have never got as much out of myself as I did,” he said, reflecting on his journey. He particularly thanked his family for their sacrifices, emphasizing that he wouldn’t have reached this point without their backing.

As he transitions to coaching, Wade, who recently earned his Level Three coaching certificate, has already identified Josh Inglis as a potential successor for the T20I wicketkeeping role. Wade will work closely with Inglis during the Pakistan series, which marks the beginning of his new coaching career.

Throughout his career, Wade faced stiff competition for the wicketkeeping position from established players like Paine, Haddin, and Peter Nevill. His impressive performance in the 2017-18 Sheffield Shield season ultimately led to his selection as a specialist batter for the 2019 Ashes series.

As Wade embarks on this new chapter as a coach, he is set to bring his wealth of experience and knowledge to the Australian setup, particularly in nurturing the next generation of cricketers.